Candice Sturm

Candice J. Sturm, 69, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed peacefully from this life on January 1 at Emory University Hospital. She will be remembered as a caring, self-sacrificing wife and mother and was beloved by all she knew.

Candy was born June 12, 1948, in Palm Springs, California, to Jean and Dick Churchwell, and grew up the oldest of four in Crossville, Illinois. She was active in 4-H and was a cheerleader for the Crossville Community High School Tigers basketball team. She was also a member of the Crossville United Methodist Church.

Candy entered nursing school at Mercy Hospital in Champaign, Illinois, in 1966, and earned her degree in 1969. She worked as a registered nurse in surgery and home healthcare, but her favorite area was labor and delivery. Candy later earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College of St. Francis so she could make an even greater difference in her patients' care and health.

Candy and her husband, Terry, began dating in high school and were married on January 27, 1968. They raised three children in Atlanta, Georgia: Geoffrey Sturm of San Francisco, California; Sarah Sturm (Kevin Miller) of Tucker, Georgia; and Christy Sturm of Atlanta, Georgia. A prolific hobbyist, Candy enjoyed needlepointing, crocheting, sewing, jewelry-making, and stenciling. After her retirement from nursing, Candy converted to the Catholic faith. She also volunteered with the Women's Auxiliary of Piedmont Atlanta Hospital as a "Pink Lady" where she assisted patients and their families in both labor and delivery and the intensive care unit.

Candy is preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Ruth and Everett Sturm; and brother-in-law, Tim Sturm. Survivors include her husband and children; siblings, Susan Wenzel of Carmi, Illinois, Gary Churchwell of Palm Desert Springs, California, and Rick Churchwell; two
siblings-in-law, Trudy and Dean West of Harrisburg, Illinois; and nine nieces and nephews.

She is greatly loved and will live on through treasured memories and enduring influence.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, January 05, 2:00 PM at Oak Grove Cemetery in Grayville, Illinois. Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi is in charge of local arrangements.