Rev. Sterling M Minturn

The Revd. Sterling Minturn, 89, departed this life and entered into God’s kingdom on October 31, 2022 . Sterling was born on September 5, 1933 to Sterling Baber “Pat” Minturn and Maree Majors Minturn. Sterling grew up in Natchitoches, LA and graduated from Northwestern State University.

In 1962, Sterling received the Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary in New York City. After being ordained deacon, he was assigned to St. Clement's Manhattan to help develop an outreach to the theatrical community. He then became one of the curates of St. Paul's Chapel of Trinity Parish and was ordained priest in May of 1963. In the fall of 1968, Sterling founded ARCHEUS, an Employee Assistance organization. During his time in New York, he also assisted part-time at St. John’s in the Village and was a contract chaplain for the Federal Detention Headquarters in Manhattan. Sterling and his partner, Robert “Sniff” Sniffen, eventually settled in South Orange, NJ. Sterling donated his Sundays to All Saints, West Orange, while he traveled between Chicago and New York for his work with ARCHEUS. After Sniff’s death and upon his retirement from ARCHEUS, Sterling moved to Chicago where he was assisting clergy for the Church of the Atonement from 2005 until illness prevented him from assisting. Sterling celebrated the 59th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood in May 2022.

Although Sterling described himself as a “curmudgeon”, “Bub” was loved by his family and friends for his faithfulness, companionship, and dry wit. True to his Louisiana roots, he made an excellent Bloody Mary and creole cornbread dressing as well as other family favorites. Until health prevented travel, Sterling would travel to be with family every Thanksgiving. It was a time of laughter, great food, domino games, and togetherness. As Thanksgiving approaches, his family will treasure those memories and will miss being physically together with him. Sterling is preceded in death by his partner, “Sniff”, his parents, Pat and Maree, and his sister, Maree. He is survived by his brothers, James (Cindy), George (Melody), his brother-in-law, Dean, and by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. The family would like to thank Sterling’s friends and caregivers, especially Gary and Hector, for their love and support of Sterling, especially as his health began to fail.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Atonement, Chicago at a later date. Sterling will be interred at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, New York. Memorials may be given to Church of the Atonement, 5749 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60660. “May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”