Irene Wilhelmine West

1915 - 2016

Services for Irene Wilhelmine West, 101, of Vandalia, were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at Vandalia United Methodist Church with the Reverend Helen McFarland officiating. Burial took place in the Laddonia Cemetery.
Visitation was held on Monday evening from 5 -7 p.m. at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Bienhoff Funeral Home.
Mrs. West passed away at 12:04 p.m., December 15, 2016 at SSM Health-Audrain in Mexico.
She was born October 17, 1915 in Martinsburg, the daughter of Joseph L. and Johanna (Jennie) Benz Meyerpeter Kersting. She was married to Carl W. West on July 25, 1936 in St. Louis and he preceded her in death March 11, 1995.
Survivors include: three sons, Rick (Monica) West, of Jefferson City; Samuel West, of Innsbrook; and Michael (Amy) West, of McLean, Ill.; one daughter, Carol (Bill) Kohl, of Vandalia; two sisters, Rosemary Merryfield, of Windsor; and Rita Field, of Layton, Utah; 14 grandchildren, Kelly (Ricky) Perritt of Argyle, Texas; Robin (Kelly Mitchell) West, of Allen, Texas; Erin (fiancé James Blain) West and Susan (Tyler) Beck, of Jefferson City; Bruce (Thuy) West, of St. Charles; Shawn (Keena) Johnston, of Mexico; Jeremy (Jennifer) Johnston, of Canada; Maryann Kohl, of Rancho Mirage, Calif.; Bob (Julie Stoutz) Kohl, Sharon Myers, Steve (Cindy) Kohl, and Chris (Kim) Kohl, all of Vandalia; Julie (Ron) Reagan, of Newburg; and Carolyn (George) Wriedt, of Kirksville; 25 great- grandchildren, Scarlett and Ewan Perritt, Rachael (Geremy) Magnuson, Adelyn Beck, Daniel West, Kelli (Kyle) Denton, Dane Myers, Kristen, Ryan (Rachael), and Dusten Reagan, Kenneth, Collin, and Hannah Johnston, Shaun (Elisha) Hopkins, Nathan (Bethany Graver), Rachael, Kayleigh, and Weston Kohl, Jennifer (Brett) Ward, Stephnie, Michael (Brandi), and Casey Wriedt, Ryan, Kyle, and Kady Decker; 13 great-great-grandchildren, Riley and Eli Smith, Bo Magnuson, Landon, Xander, Zoe, and Bailey Denton, Madilynn, Bella, and Kennadee Hopkins, Jase Baldwin, and Logan and Libby Wriedt; and three special foreign exchange student grandchildren, Pepy Papadimou of Athens, Greece; Ana and Wilma Andrade, both of Miami, Florida.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Leroy and Joe Kersting; three sisters, Georgia Fischer, and Leona and Shirley Kersting; one daughter-in-law, Joan West; one grandson, Carl Kohl; and one great-great-granddaughter, Abbigail Hopkins.
Mrs. West was a lifetime area resident, homemaker, and member of the Vandalia United Methodist Church. She previously worked at International Shoe Factory, Mitchell's Clothing Store, Ann's Decorating Shop, and Images. She was a former member of the GFWC Mothers Study Club. Her hobbies revolved around her flower garden, decorating her Victorian home and putting her appreciation and knowledge of antiques to work. Her favorite past time was spending time with her family. The Christmas celebration was very special to her and she loved gathering her family in her home. She even managed to crochet winter hats for all of her children, and the generations of grandchildren. Pallbearers were her grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Vandalia United Methodist Church, Vandalia Library or the Vandalia Recreational Committee.
Online condolences may be made at www.bienhofffuneralhome.com.