Edwin W. Stirling

Edwin W. “Ed” Stirling of Rockford, IL died January 30, 2022. Born on February 20, 1938 in his grandfather’s house near Elizabeth, PA. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Wallace and Nellie Virginia (Sigler) Stephenson Stirling Sr.; step-father, Carroll “Bud” Stephenson and brother, Thomas R. Stirling. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth (Way) Stirling and sister, Phyllis (Stephenson) Nusser of Monongahela, PA.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1960, including service in Japan and Korea.

Ed was a Radio Announcer and Program Director for many years at various Rockford area radio stations including WRRR, WREZ, WBEL and WRWC. He later turned his attention to his passion, preserving prairies and other natural areas and was employed by the Natural Land Institute as a Preservation Specialist and later as Executive Director. In that capacity, Ed was instrumental in preserving about a dozen Illinois Nature Preserves. He was especially proud of his work on the acquisition and development of the Stone Bridge Trail at Roscoe, Alder Marsh Forest Preserve and Nygren Wetlands of Rockton.

His wish was that no religious observances be held. No prayer, no Mass, no “rituals based in Iron-age folklore or mythology”. Now that his consciousness has ceased, he believes that the elements of his body will be re-absorbed into nature from whence they came.

Memorials in Ed’s name can be sent to any conservation or natural areas preservation area.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 7, 2022, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel. Masks are required for the visitation. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the family. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.