Roseanna Sterling
Roseanna Sterling, 79 of New Lexington, died Thursday, August 27, 2026 at The Oaks of Bethesda following an illness. She was born Wednesday, May 28, 1947 in Zanesville. She was the daughter of Fred “Fritz” Himmelspach, Sr. and Betty Marie (Stotts) Himmelsphach. She loved Our Lord and was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. On Valentine’s Day she married Larry T. Sterling who preceded her in death.
Roseanna is survived by a son, Heath A. Sterling of Florida; a granddaughter, Haley Marie Sterling; a great grandson, Ayden Taeo Thompson; a sister, Debby (Wayne) Anderson; an aunt, Alice Houston-McConnel of California; her close friends from New Lexington, Garry & Theresa Cavinee & family, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and last but certainly not least four kitties or kiddy’s, as she referred to them
Roseanna had many career paths throughout her lifetime. She transitioned seamlessly doing everything imaginable from cooking at Columbia Cement, and another time preparing dishes for the hot food case at her brother’s meat market, to channeling her creativity into business, opening a local gift shop and running her Mother’s Botique Beauty Lounge, as owner-operator. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and would often tell the stories of her grandmother teaching her starting at three years old.
She was an artist for sure! Her gifts would come looking like they were ready to go into a showcase, and too pretty to open with elaborate bows, and glitter. If you were lucky, you might receive one of her hand painted ceramics filled with Larry’s homemade fudge. She brought life’s most beautiful moments to bloom, whether sketching, painting, flower arranging, gardening, or helping plan a wedding. She could dream it up and then bring it to life with her own hands.
Recently she had written that what brings her to life is her faith, children, animals (she is with her Sheba now), plants, butterflies, and summer.
She had a way of making you smile, and was a joy to be around. To say she was still ornery at 79 is an understatement! She stayed positive and offered endless wisdom-even when you didn’t was to hear it. She had stories for days. On Sundays, you could find her in front of the TV, rooting on her favorite NASCAR team, Red Bull. Now she has her own wings, and will be watching over us and the drivers from the best seat in the house. One thing is for sure, whether you knew her as Mom, Grandma, Sister, Niece, Aunt, Cousin, Friend, or Miss Kitty; she will be missed daily by all who were close to her.
In addition to her parents, and husband, Roseanna was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Heather Margaret Sterling; her daughter-in-law, Paula Blais; her brother, Fred L. Himmelsphach, Jr., and one brother-in-law, Gary Sterling.
Friends may call Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, at the Hillis Combs Funeral Home, 935 Forest Avenue, Zanesville. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 AM, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 925 East Main Street, Zanesville, with Fr. Donald Abii as celebrant. Roseanna will be laid to rest in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. To sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note of condolence please visit www.hilliscombsfh.com
