Sterling H. Mische

Visitation for Sterling H. Mische, 95, a longtime Palatine resident and music educator, will be held Friday, June 25, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home 201 N. Northwest Hwy. Palatine. A Service and Inurnment will be held privately at Union Cemetery, St. Charles.

Mr. Mische died May 16, 2021 at the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights.

Mr. Mische had a highly respected and rewarding career in vocal music education.  He served as Choral Music Director and Department Chairperson at Prospect High School from 1960-1984 and founded the annual District 214 Choral and Band Festival.  Among his special memories was the thrill of conducting concerts for packed audiences in the PHS field house.  Students fondly recall his commitment to excellence, attention to detail, dedication, energy and mentorship and still enjoy the albums that they professionally recorded under his direction.  Recent contact with his students brought him great joy.

Sterling also served as Choir Director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Plaines from 1968-1982.  His beautiful baritone voice contributed to worship at Christ Lutheran Church in Palatine where he was an active member for more than 50 years.

A Washington, Missouri native and graduate of Truman State and Drake Universities, Mr. Mische began his career in Iowa where he married Darlene Rieke in Muscatine on August 17, 1951. The Mische’s were blessed with nearly 70 years of marriage and joyfully raised three children: Kurt (Judy Costanza), Reno, NV; Scott, Palatine; and Kristin (Miles) Rinehart, DeKalb, IL.  Survivors also include his brother, Norman (the late Rayma Jean) Mische, Washington, MO; grandchildren, Dan Kremer, Los Angeles, CA and Elise (Stephen) Compston, Reno, NV; great-grandchildren, Landon Compston and Ariel Compston; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Corinne (nee Mohrlock) Mische.

Sterling enjoyed many family activities, photography, gardening, model railroading, genealogy, attending concerts and rooting for his beloved St. Louis Cardinals.

Memorial contributions will be appreciated to St. Charles Singers, stcharlessingers.com or to The Lakeside Singers, lakesidesingers.com.