Charlyn Sterne
1936-2013
Charlyn Laura Ryan Sterne known by many of her friends as Lyn, passed from this earth Sunday, October 27, 2013 after a 13-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Charlyn and her devoted husband, Don, had lived in the Edmond area since 1974. Charlyn was born February 19, 1936 in Seminole, Oklahoma. Charlyn's mother was Ollie Della McMillin born in Indian Territory (now Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma) July 11, 1905. Her Father was Charles Everett Ryan born February 2, 1901 also in Indian Territory (Choctaw Indian Territory which later became LeFlore County). She graduated from Hominy High School in 1954 and later studied accounting in Tulsa. She graduated with honors from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology at Calgary, Alberta, Canada with a degree in Library Arts in 1974.
Charlyn met Donald Leon Sterne at a Christmas banquet at the First Baptist Church in Tulsa. It was love at first sight. Charlyn was the president of her Sunday School class and Don was the president of his. After a short engagement they were married June 3, 1956 in Tulsa. With Don being in the oil business, they moved frequently. Each of their three children was born in a different State. Daughter Michelle was born in Hobbs, New Mexico February 15, 1958, son Mark was born in Tulsa June 23, 1960, and daughter Charla was born October 19, 1961 in Pampa, Texas.
After Don retired from Grace Petroleum in 1985, Don and Charlyn formed Petro-Management Associates, Inc. which they affectionately called PMA, in Edmond. Charlyn was its very able treasurer, a position she held until she and Don officially retired in 2000. Don and Charlyn were charter members of Santa Fe Presbyterian Church in Edmond. Charlyn was a devoted and loving wife, mother and friend to many.
Her favorite hobby was genealogy. She and Don spent many happy hours traveling and researching their family trees. She also was a voracious reader. Charlyn will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her husband Don of Edmond, daughter Laura Michelle Wolfson of Oklahoma City, son Mark Donald of Dallas and daughter Charla Marie of Girdwood, Alaska. Charlyn and Don have four grandchildren. Deya Holly Wolfson in Chicago, Rael Daevid Wolfson in Oklahoma City, Aikea Elyse Wolfson and husband Jaime Contreras in Chicago, and Piper Violet Sage in Girdwood, Alaska. Charlyn and Don also have 4 great grandchildren – Stephanie Wolfson, Daevid Wolfson, Michael Wolfson and Jacob Contreras.
In lieu of flowers you may memorialize Charlyn with a donation to the American Lung Association.
Services will be 10am Thursday October 31. 2013 at Santa Fe Presbyterian Church, 1603 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Edmond, Oklahoma interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30
th
at Matthews Funeral Home.
