Vernon Westbay

Vernon V. “Farmer” Westbay, 91, of Wapakoneta, formerly of Bellefontaine, died 5:50 a.m., Tues. Jan. 28, 2014, at Wapakoneta Manor. He was born Oct. 21, 1922, in Bridgeport, IL, the son of Cloyd L. & Bessie (Saddler) Westbay who preceded him in death. On June 6, 1942, he married LaVerta A. Hirschfeld, and she died March 5, 2006. Survivors include, a son, Rev. Michael (Nancy) Westbay, Wapakoneta; a grandson, Christopher M. (Melissa) Westbay, Hilliard, OH; a grandson-in-law, Joseph Helberg, Helena, AL;3 great grandchildren, Christopher S. & Chloe Westbay, and Rylie Helberg; numerous nieces & nephews; a close friend, Norma Beach, Bellefontaine. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jennifer Helberg, a great-granddaughter, Cara Westbay, and 7 siblings, Kermit, Kenneth, and Berlin Westbay, and triplets, Edwin & Edgar Westbay and Edna Fisher. Mr. Westbay was a 1940 graduate of Blume High School in Wapakoneta, lettering in football, basketball and baseball. After high school he played on several different baseball and softball teams in the area, including Lima, Wapakoneta, St. Marys, New Bremen, Jackson Center and Moulton. He was one of the people who helped organize the first Little League in Wapakoneta. He coached Little League teams, Pony League teams, and was the first coach of the Wapakoneta Acme League team. He was an avid golfer throughout his life. He scored three holes-in-one, and before he had to retire from golf was able to shoot his age a few times. Mr. Westbay was a business man, first serving as the business manager at the Jackson Center Farm Bureau, then as a salesman for Friends Office Supplies and Equipment in Wapakoneta. Finally he opened his own office supply business in Bellefontaine, Ohio in September of 1962, operating that business until he retired in 1981. Mr. Westbay was involved in the communities in which he lived and worked. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Bellefontaine, the Lions Club, Wapakoneta and a member of the Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce, Bellefontaine, serving in leadership positions in both of the latter two. At the time of his death, Mr. Westbay was a member emeritus of the Board of Directors of the Citizens Federal Savings and Loan in Bellefontaine, having served on that board more than 35 years. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m., Sat. Feb. 1, 2014, at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta, Pastor Ed Beale officiating. Burial is to follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapakoneta. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m., Sat. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Vernon Westbay

October 21, 1922 - January 28, 2014