Obituary of Clare Sterchak

Clare Barbara Sterchak, a longtime resident of Sidney, New York, passed away April 11, 2025 at her home. Unlikely to survive the rigorous treatment of her latest illness, she spent her last months with the best care possible from family, Helios, and the help, thoughts and prayers of many friends. Clare was where she wanted to be, at the home she made and the house husband Bill built. Clare was born November 27, 1928, in Browndale, PA, the oldest daughter of John J. and Josephine Laurich Sherosick. Her nurses training was at Hahnemann Hospital, in Scranton, PA, now part of Geisinger Health System, and a BSN from Mansfield University, PA. On May 20, 1950, she married William 'Zim' Sterchak in Forest City, PA, before moving and settling in Sidney. Clare was a Registered Nurse and for many years was the night supervisor at The Hospital in Sidney where she began many close and lasting friendships. In addition to occasional private duty, she served briefly as the school nurse at Sidney Central High School. When Zim was transferred to Virginia, she worked at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News. After retirement, she was an active and valued volunteer with the Masonville Emergency squad. Her medical skills saved many families, friends and neighbors from ER visits. She seemed to know everyone touching many lives in the process. A devoted and dedicated Wife, Nurse, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, Clare will always be remembered for many qualities; her strong sense of Family and values, outspokenness, and inspiring loyalty. Rarely idle, she knitted and crocheted countless mittens, hats, dishcloths, sweaters and afghans. Clare loved to party and often Clare and Zim were the first ones on the dance floor when the band struck up a polka at the festivals and Octoberfests they attended with their 'crew' of friends. Clare was predeceased by her husband Bill of 55 years, a brother John Sherosick and recently by a third son John. Bill and Clare were members of the Sacred Heart Church in Sidney and raised five children. She is survived by four children; two sons, William, McKinney, Texas and Robert of Masonville, N.Y.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and William Doyal, Louisville, Kentucky, Drs. Barbara and Ian Chapman, Campbelltown, South Australia, Daughter-in-law Barbara (John); eight grandchildren, Gwendolyn Millican, RN (John), William, Nicholas (Chris), Stanley (Olga), Stephen (Lacey), Peter (Colleen), Molly, Andrew; four great-grandchildren Clare and Michael, Spring, TX, and Brooksana and Samantha, of Oneonta, NY, several nieces, nephews and cousins. A sister, Marian Kiselica, Baldwinsville, N.Y also survives as well as one brother-in-law, Andrew Sterchak, Springfield, Massachusetts and sister-in-law Dorothy Piorkowski, Sebastion, Florida. Friends may call Monday April 21, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main Street, Sidney, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. April 22, 2025, from the Sacred Heart Church, Liberty Street, Sidney, New York with Dr. Fr. Bernard Osei Ampong, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Yaleville Cemetery, Town of Guilford, New York. Memorial gifts in her name may be sent to Helios Care, 297 River St., Oneonta, NY.