Stacey Albert Siders, 78, of Sterling, died Saturday, March 13, 2010, at his home in Sterling. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held June 12, 2010, in Decatur, Ill. There was cremation.

Stacey was born June 11, 1931, to Lloyd Herman and Eva Marie (Workman) Siders at home in Knoxville, Ill. The family moved to Dawson, Ill., where he attended grades one through eight. He graduated from Tri-City High School in Buffalo, Ill., in 1948. Because of his success winning high school state championships in the 880, mile and cross country track events, he was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Illinois. He majored in physical education and won several Big 10 championships. When he graduated, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the ROTC.

He served during the Korean War in 1953 at the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Va. He was instructor for the Demolition Section, Pioneer Branch, for the Department of Engineering. He was discharged November of 1955 as a first lieutenant.

He returned to Tri-City High School to begin his teaching and coaching career. He then went on to Willowbrook High School in the Chicago suburbs and to George Mason High School in Virginia, coaching several athletes who won state championships. He moved back to central Illinois and worked as a welder and line supervisor at Caterpillar Earth Moving Equipment in Decatur.

In 1983, he moved to Colorado and married Barbara Siders in October 1983. He lived in Summit County and worked for the school district as a bus driver, custodian, transportation director and/or maintenance for 10 years before retiring to Burnsville, N.C. He and his wife enjoyed six years in the mountains of North Carolina before moving to Sterling to be near family in 2000.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Booker) Siders; children, Burt Darrell Siders and wife Barbara of Ashville, N.C., Justin Blake Siders of Rocheter, Ill., Susan Renee Carr of Thailand, James Richard Carr of Sterling, Patrick Gerald Carr and wife April of San Francisco; daughter-in-law, Kathy Carr of Casper, Wyo.; four grandchildren, Caleb James Carr, Jaime Adelle Carr, Jesse David Carr and Sophia Marie Carr; brothers, Earl Siders of Decatur, Larry and Dee Siders of Crystal City, Mo., and Nick and Linda Siders of Marion, Ark.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his only sister, Marge (Siders) Kaylor; and brother, Gene Siders and his wife Mary (McGrew) and their children Lynette and Jeff in a tragic car accident. Their son, Burt, survived the accident and was adopted by Stacey.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Plains, Inc.

Chaney-Reager Funeral Home in Sterling handled the arrangements.