Jessie Mackey
March 23, 1915 ~ May 27, 2009
Sterling Mackey, 94, of Plainfield, Iowa died Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at the Bartels Lutheran Home in Waverly, Iowa. At Sterling’s request, a graveside service will be held at Willow Lawn Cemetery in Plainfield on Saturday, May 30th at 11:00 a.m.
Jessie Sterling Mackey was born March 23, 1915 in Stanwood, Iowa, the son of Homer and Anna Mae Newberry Mackey. He attended school in Stanwood until 1931, when his family moved to nearby Olin, Iowa. Sterling completed high school in Olin, graduating as the class president of the Olin High School Class of 1933. Following graduation, Sterling worked as a mechanic at Taylor Garage in Olin. He enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after the start of World War II, during which he taught airplane engine repair in Amarillo, Texas.
On October 19, 1943, he was united in marriage to Fern Annis at the Little Brown Church in Nashua Iowa. In 1948, Sterling moved to Plainfield, where he owned and operated Mackey’s Garage for nearly 30 years. He closed the shop in order to care for his ailing wife Fern, for whom he cared until her death in 1986. Sterling remained at his home in Plainfield until becoming a resident at Bartels in May of 2009. Sterling enjoyed collecting and working on old musical instruments, playing the accordion and violin, reading, fixing engines, collecting books, and working with flowers and other plants.
Sterling is survived by a daughter Jo (Allen) Knapp of Nashua, a son Stuart (Kate) Mackey of Waverly, two grandsons: Jared Knapp of Waterloo and Nathan (Jayma) Mackey of Waverly; a great granddaughter Kylie Sterling Mackey of Waverly, and a foster sister Marjorie (Robert) Hensen of Lacey, Washington.
Sterling was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Fern in 1986, a sister Dorothy Gomes in 1966, and a brother Robert Dahl Mackey in 1973.
Sterling was a real character who will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
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Mr. Mackey was our neighbor in Plainfield when we rented a house there for 6 years. His wife’s ailments were similar to what my grandma was going through at the same time. I remember him as caring, friendly and very knowledgeable about many subjects. The world is a better place because of him. God’s blessings. Al & Sue Lindaman
Sorry we couldn’t be there. Our condolonces for your loss.
Stuart Your friends at Allied Valve Inc wanted to express our deepest sympathies on the loss of your father.
Stuart and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Let God’s healing give you strength in the coming days ahead. Blessings, Sherri Willey
Dear Family of Sterling Mackey, You may not remmber me, I help care for your Mother. I worked for the county nurse. Your father and i have keep in touch all these years, my husband and I always looked forward to the yearly Christmas card and letters. Sterling was a remarkable person, and so intelligent, he was a great inspiration to me and such a dear man. God Bless Elaine gauger
My deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Mackey. May God help you through this sad time and comfort you with peace at this sad time as you remember the wonderful memories of your loved one. God Bless you all. Renee Hamilton
Jo and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. May the blessings of memories be of some comfort to you now. With sympathy, Taunya Robertson
My mom said it best when she said that she is so thankful for all the memories that Mr mackey has left us over the last 30 years! She couldn’t have said it better, and I sincerely agree with her! He has been in my life since I was an infant, and I also so enjoyed being around him…just like another grandpa. Some of my most greatest childhood memories include Mr.Mackey! I loved playing with what seemed to be the hundreds of various musical instruments he always had in his living room. I laugh out loud when I remember how he had what seemed to be hundreds of toilet paper rolls in his bathroom closet when I was a kid. I also loved how everytime I came over to his home, he’d make me a cold glass of 7-UP soda with grape juice…I think it was, and then he’d put a few frozen grapes in it as well. I loved it! He was always so good to me, and once he even gave me a harmonica and accordion!! I still have them, and I used to love watching him play the accordion. He was so talented. I remember once bringing my clarinet over and playing it for him. I also remember him trying to teach me math and how to tell time when I was so little, and I just couldn’t understand. He was a man of so many talents. He was such an interesting man, and will be so missed, but I’m also thrilled to think of him finally in heaven with his wife after having to spend the last 23 years without her. I also have memories of his wife. After reading his obituary, I learned so many more interesting things about this great, kind, talented man that I had no idea about! My prayers and condolences to you all. I also like very much the picture that you chose. Sincerest sympathy, Balinda
Jo, You have my sympathy in the loss of your father. I know from experience that even though they have lived a long, happy life, it is still a loss in your heart! May your memories of your father sustain you now and in the future. Sincerely, Connie Collins
I am so thankful for all the memories that Mr mackey has left for me over the last 30 years of friendship. He was a very good friend. I will remember him every day as I lookout at all the neat things he has contributed to my gardens. I remember with fondess all the wonderful visits that Balinda and I had at his home as welll as all the valuable and wise advice. I will truly miss him but celebrate his latest promotion into heaven. I do not have to tell you how special he was. He was the most unique person I have ever known. My condolences to you all. I like very much the picture that you chose. It is great!!! Sincerest sympthay: Marilyn
I offer my condolences to the family of Sterling Mackey. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.