Elmer Robert “Tex” Westfall, 83, of Bryan, formerly of Montpelier, passed away on Friday February 6, 2015 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, FL. He was born on December 1, 1931 in Paulding, OH to Clyde and Della (Price) Westfall. Elmer attended Montgomery High School in Montgomery, MI. On December 4, 1948, Tex married Peggy A. Gilpin in Hillsdale, MI and she preceded him in death on August 14, 2001. On October 25, 2006 Tex married his second wife, Evelyn M. Beamont at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Bryan, and she survives.
For a short time Elmer worked as a mechanic in Camden, MI before he began working for the railroad. He retired from Norfolk Southern, formerly Norfolk Western and Wabash in 2002 after 42 years of service. During his time working for the railroad, Elmer worked for three years in the oil fields of Odessa, TX. He had also worked for Boone Lumber Company in Montpelier for 10 years.
Elmer was a member of The Eagles in Bryan and the Transportation Communications Union. He was a member of The Grand Lodge of F & A.M. of Ohio, Montpelier Lodge 547 where he served as Grand Marshall for many years, the Grand Council Royal & Select Masons of Ohio, Bryan Council 101, where he was a past Illustrious Master and he was a member of the Zenobia Shriners. Elmer was the head of the B.R.A.C. Union for 10 years and was a past member of The Moose in Montpelier. He was a pilot of his own plane, loved to ride motorcycles and was a race horse enthusiast. Elmer loved to bowl and was a member of the Norfolk Western bowling league. Tex was a big family man and loved to travel, making lots of trips to visit his family members. Tex and Evelyn loved to spend their winters at their home in Lakeland, FL.
Tex is survived by his wife, Evelyn Westfall; three sons, James Westfall of Tuscan, AZ, Danny Westfall of West Unity, OH and Tracy (Rhonda) Westfall of Grove City, OH; 10 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; seven siblings, Della (Art) Sattison of Freemont, IN, Janet (Gary) Crowley of Chico, TX, Delbert Westfall of Texas, Wanda (Jim) Clingerman of Stryker, OH, Ben (Jan) Westfall of Port Charlotte, FL, Judy (Gary) Kimpel of Napoleon, OH and Mary Westfall of Holland, OH.
Tex is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Peggy Westfall; siblings, Edward, Richard, Lester, Clayton, Geneva, Phyllis and Cindy.
Visitation for Elmer will be held on Thursday February 12, 2015 from 2-8 pm at The Thompson Funeral Home on Main Street in Montpelier. A funeral service will take place on Friday, February 13, 2015 at 2:00 pm at the funeral home with Reverend David Tilly and Father Jim Halleron to officiate. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Montpelier.
Donations can be made in memory of Elmer to The Kidney Foundation. Online condolences may be left at thethompsonfuneralhome.com