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Gary Westen Obituary
Bloomington, IL—Gary Richard Westen age 71, Bloomington, IL passed away at 1:47 PM Thursday, January 25, 2018, in Peoria, Illinois. His funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, IL. Rev. Kim Burke will be officiating.
Military rites accorded by the Bloomington -Normal American Legion Honor Guard at the memorial home. Private entombment will be in Park Hill Mausoleum, Bloomington IL.
Visitation will be 10:00 A.M. -11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the memorial home.
Gary was born in Lincoln, Illinois, March 23, 1946, the son of Harm and Juanita Cummins Westen. He was raised on the farm and through the years enjoyed returning to help with the harvest. Gary attended a one room school for seven years. He graduated from Lincoln High School. He married Barbara Jean Greeley on August 2, 1975. He graduated from Illinois State University in 1968 in Mathematics and Accounting.
He served proudly in the United States Army from 1968 through 1970. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and infantry training at Fort Ord, California, he had a year of difficult duty in Viet Nam with the 199th Infantry Brigade. He received the Combat infantryman Badge in 1969. He felt a special bond with his unit and he continued to attend reunions in recent years. He greatly appreciated the common bond which only his fellow soldiers understood.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sister, Donna (Delmar) Turner of Lincoln, Illinois, his niece Rhonda (Joseph) Hyde of Lincoln, Illinois, his niece Tara (Chad) Ragsdale of Webb City, Missouri, two special grandnieces and a grandnephew, and his nephew Darren Turner of Lincoln, Illinois.
His working life was spent in Bloomington, Illinois, first as an accountant for the Bloomington School District 87 and later as an accountant at the firm of Dunbar Breitweiser. He was a long time member of First Methodist Church in Normal. In retirement he continued to enjoy his love of live country music. His rat terrier dogs (Junior, Pumpkin, Peanut, Pecan, Pepper, Pumpkin II, and Puddin') gave him and Barbara much joy. Please feel free to make a donation in Gary's name to the Humane Society of Central Illinois 423 Kays Drive, Normal, IL or the charity of your choice.
Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Westen
Sponsored by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home Bloomington Chapel.
1 Entry
January 29, 2018
To the family, I am sorry to hear the news about your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this challenging time. Isaiah 61:1,2*
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Memorial Events
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Jan
30
Funeral services provided by:
Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home Bloomington Chapel1115 East Washington Street, Bloomington, IL 61701
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