Elmer Duane Westfall

Elmer Duane Westfall passed away peacefully at Seashore Highlands Retirement Community in Gulfport, MS, early Sunday morning, September 28, 2025. He lived 99 wonderful years. He was deeply loved by all of his family, friends, and everyone he had the pleasure of meeting.

Mr. Westfall was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on August 25, 1926. His family moved to Dallas, TX. He attended Highland Park High School. He entered the U.S. Navy in July 1944 and became an Aviation Ordnance Petty Officer, Third Class. He flew with his crew aboard the U.S. Navy PBY Catalina in the Pacific during WWII. He later attended and graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in engineering. He did this while being married and raising three babies. Mr. Westfall retired from Ling-Temco-Vought as a Reliability Engineer. He loved everything about aviation, flying, and airplanes. He built and flew numerous model airplanes over the years. He was an instrument-rated private pilot and owned his own aircraft.

Mr. Westfall was preceded in death by his first wife, Alma Lois Sloan Westfall, parents Elmer H. Westfall and Olga Victoria Reuschelle Westfall, brother Ronald G. Westfall, and sister Sylvia Sara Westfall.

He is survived by his current wife, Mary Frances Robinson Westfall. His survivors also include his sons, Gary D. Westfall (Catherine), Santa Rosa, CA; Richard H. Westfall (Mary Ann), Ocean Springs, MS, and his daughter, Susan Westfall Butterworth (Wayne), Piedmont, AL. He is also survived by grandchildren Andrew H. Westfall (Amber), Ocean Springs, MS, Forrest D. Westfall, San Diego, CA, Katherine Westfall Rocco (Nick), Orlando, FL, and great-grandchildren Landon A. Westfall and Jackson H. Westfall, Ocean Springs, MS.

Services for Elmer Duane Westfall are scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home in Tyler, TX. Viewing is from 9:00 to 11:00 am. The Chapel Service is at 11:00 am. Entombment is in Field of Honor Mausoleum, Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, at 12:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Seashore Highlands Retirement Community, 12170 Highland Way, Gulfport, MS 39503.

We would like to thank the management, staff, and nurses for taking such great care of Mr. Westfall for the 17 months he lived at Seashore Highlands Memory Care. Everyone loved him. They took such special care with love and kindness.

We would also like to thank Mr. Westfall's wife of 22 years, Mary Frances Westfall, and her wonderful family, Donna and John Mayfield, Jan and Dickie Watkins, and Charlie Major, for welcoming Mr. Westfall so warmly into their family. He loved you all dearly.

The family appreciates the compassionate support and care provided by Notre Dame Hospice during Mr. Westfall’s final weeks.

Special thanks to Jeff O'Keefe and his wonderful staff at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home for their local Gulfport services.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Elmer Duane Westfall.