Gerald Coyt Westfall, son of Coyt and Velma (Stratton) Westfall, was born in Lone Tree, Iowa on June 3, 1929, and departed this life on Friday, October 7, 2022, in Gainesville, Missouri. He was at the time of his passing 93 years, four months, and four days of age. Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at the Lone Tree American Legion. Burial will be in the Lone Tree Cemetery with full military rites. Following the committal service, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the Lone Tree American Legion. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Lone Tree American Legion Post 457 or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Sympathy notes may be left to the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. The Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Lone Tree is caring for Gerald family and arrangements.
Gerald grew up on a farm in Lone Tree and graduated from Lone Tree High School in 1947. On September 21, 1957, he married Shirley Simpson, the love of his life, in Iowa City, Iowa. He served his country from December 27, 1950 – December 26, 1953, as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force. During the Korean War, he served as a Medical Tech Specialist stationed at Burtonwood Air Force Base in England. Gerald loved farming, beginning his early working years as a farmer in Lone Tree, Iowa, and later in Missouri. He later became a rural letter carrier in Jacksonville, Missouri, serving in the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years.
Gerald was a devoted Christian, husband, father of four, active community member, and American patriot. He and his wife were active members in the Jefferson Avenue Methodist Church in Moberly, Missouri, for many years, followed by active membership in the Grace Community United Methodist Church in Buffalo, Missouri. Gerald was dedicated to public service to his community. He was a member of the American Legion Post 457 in Lone Tree, Iowa, for 70 years, with several years of membership participation in American Legion Post 6 in Moberly, Missouri. He was a member of the Northeast R-IV School Board for 12 years, including service as Board President for 6 years. He was also actively involved in the Missouri and National Rural Letter Carrier’s Association, serving as an officer and a delegate to the association conventions.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two brothers, Kenneth Westfall and Bernard Westfall; and one sister, Jean Sexton. He is survived and will be greatly missed by two daughters, Tamara Arthaud & husband Gary of Pontiac, Missouri and Jill Westfall of Grayson, Georgia; two sons, Kurt Westfall & wife Jeanette of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and David Westfall & wife Kimberley of Columbia, Missouri; two sisters, Joann Pomeroy of Orlando, Florida, and Judy Evans & husband Terry of St. Paul, Arkansas; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild.
