John F. Westfall (81) of Watson

John F. Westfall, 81, of Watson, IL, died on Sunday, April 9, 2017, at his home.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 18 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in Watson Cemetery, with military rites. A prayer service will be held at 3:45 p.m. with visitation to follow until 7:00 p.m. Monday at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Fourth Street, Effingham. Memorials may be made in loving memory of John to Sacred Heart School or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

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John was born on July 25, 1935, in Salt Creek, the son of Herschel and Marie (Percival) Westfall. He married Mary M. Weishaar on February 27, 1960, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove. He graduated from Effingham High School in 1952. He served in the United States Army from August 1957 to May 1959. After that, he worked as a farmer and carpenter until 2016. John was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He served as an Effingham County Farm Bureau board member for over 20 years, an Effingham Health board member for 24 years, and on the Effingham Unit 40 school board. He was also a member of the County Line Sod-Busters, Effingham County Conservation Farmer, and Effingham County Good Life Farmer. He enjoyed riding his tractors, whistling, and playing cards and dominoes with his wife and friends. He loved old cars and restoring antique tractors. John was proud of his children and their accomplishments, and especially enjoyed his grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Westfall of Watson; children, Mary (Mike) Eastin of Murfreesboro, TN, Brian (Debra) Westfall of Columbia, SC, Carol (Matt) Stead of Teutopolis, Lyle (Pam) Westfall of Watson, and Jenny Westfall of Troy; grandchildren, Lauren (Erik) Hardison of Augusta, GA, Kaitlin (fiancé, Davis Moore) Westfall of Columbia, SC, Claire (Tanner) Rennels of Whitestown, IN, Emily Westfall of Watson, Cory (special friend, Maci Pruemer) Westfall of Watson, Audrey Kaufman of Teutopolis, Madalyn Stead of Teutopolis, Deacon and Evan Brown of Glen Carbon; great-grandchildren, Delaney and Barrett Hardison, and Rowan Rennels; sisters, Wilma (Bob) Beckley of Lindale, TX and Janet (Melvin) Czerwonka of Heartville; step-grandchildren, Eric, Tom (Erica), and Emily Stead; and step-great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Everett Stead.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Herschel and Marie; in-laws, Leo and Catherine Weishaar; brother-in-law, Vincent Weishaar; sister-in-law and brother-in law, Bernice and Tom Fehrenbacher; and brother-in-law, Frosty Keplar.