Gene Westover, 72

Gene L. Westover, age 72, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, at Thurston Woods Village.
He was born March 16, 1946, in Albany, Ore., a son of the late Norman and Etta (Nofziger) Westover.
Gene graduated from Lebanon, Ore., High School with the class of 1965 and had been a resident of Sturgis since 1967.
On Oct. 25, 1969, he married Louellen A. Troyer, at Locust Grove Mennonite Church.
He had been employed at various factories in janitorial positions over his working career and recently had become a member of Locust Grove Mennonite Church. He previously was a member of First Baptist Church in Sturgis, where he was on the board of deacons and enjoyed visiting shut-ins with the pastors.
Gene enjoyed singing, playing his guitar, playing with model trains and took great pride in his yard and flower beds. He also enjoyed visiting and talking with people, and spending time with Jake, Josh and Joel was the highlight of his days.
Surviving are his wife, Louellen; a special nephew, Jason (Jenny) Troyer of Sturgis and their children, Jake, Josh and Joel; a sister, Kathy Westover of Seattle; four brothers, Leroy Westover of Portland, Ore., Leonard Westover of Northpole, Alaska, Robert (Dorothy) Westover of Albany, Ore., and Ken (Gail) Westover of Blaine, Wash.; his mother-in-law, Irene Troyer of Sturgis; two sisters-in-law, Beverly Wilson of Portage and Betty (Mark) Thiemann of Red Oak, Texas; three brothers-in-law, Delmar (Debbie) Troyer of Centreville, and Jerry (Donna) Troyer and Eugene (Norma) Troyer, both of Sturgis; several nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Norma Kropf and Leona McKenzie; and his father-in-law, Clarence Troyer.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, at Locust Grove Mennonite Church, 29525 Findley Road, Burr Oak.
Services celebrating the life of Gene L. Westover will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Bill Beck officiating. Interment will follow in Locust Grove Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial donations be directed to Pregnancy Helpline, 1125 N. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091. Envelopes are available at Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis, which has been entrusted with arrangements.