Keith "Westy" Elwood Westhafer

Keith “Westy” Elwood Westhafer

Loving Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, & Friend -

Keith “Westy” Elwood Westhafer, age 92, of Mechanicsburg, passed away with his loving family by his side on Wednesday, January 24, 2018.  Westy was born on Wednesday, December 2, 1925 in Marysville to the late Wilbur Chester Westhafer and Helen Blanche (King) Westhafer.  Westy was the widower of Mabel Jenny (Williams) Westhafer, whom he married on August 8, 1948, and who died on May 6, 2014.  In addition to his parents and wife, Westy is preceded in death by his 11 siblings: Charles Westhafer, James Westhafer, Merrill Westhafer, Paul Westhafer, Ruth Capp, Midge McQuery, Evelyn, Wayne Westhafer, Carl Westhafer, Gladys “Ginny” Johnson, and Richard Westhafer.

Westy’s survivors include his two children: Barbara “Westy” A. Boyd and her husband, David, of Mechanicsburg, William “Bill” K. Westhafer and his wife, Barb, of Mechanicsburg; his four grandchildren: Kimberly “Kim” Boyd-Jones and her husband, Jeff, and their children: Reagan and Grant, of Wheaton, IL, Nicole Stroup and her husband, Todd, and their children: Brendan and Emma, of Mechanicsburg, Kelly Benedict and her husband, John, and their children: Nolan and Ethan, of Collegeville, William “BJ” Westhafer, Jr. and his wife, Sara, and their children: Ella and Baby Westhafer (to be born in July), of Mechanicsburg; and several nieces and nephews.

Westy served in the United States Navy during World War II on board the USS LST-392 where he was a part of the Invasion of Normandy on D-Day.  He retired from the Navy Supply Depot in Mechanicsburg, after 36 years of service working as a warehouse supervisor.  Westy also had his own painting business that ran off word of mouth and kept him so busy that it’s very likely he painted a large majority of the homes in Mechanicsburg.  He then retired from the Giant in Silver Spring Township, after 16 years of service working as a cart attendant as well as a helping hand if someone needed assistance getting groceries to their car.  Westy was a longtime member of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg and a lifetime member of Washington Fire Company No. 1.  He was a talented guitar player and bowler on the Westhafer Brothers Bowling Team.  Westy was best known for walking everywhere in town, always having a bottle of water with him, and for his love of The Peppermill Restaurant.  The most important thing to him was his family.  He enjoyed and cherished the time he spent with them especially when they went to the shore because that meant he could take to the boardwalk with the guys while the ladies went shopping.  Westy also looked forward to the family reunions because it was an opportunity to have everyone together.

All are welcome to join Westy’s family at his viewing on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. until time of casket closing at 10:50 a.m. with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Pastor Eric Anderson officiating.  Burial will follow in Mechanicsburg Cemetery, where military honors will be presented by the Cumberland County Honor Guard.  Honored to be pallbearers are: John Benedict, Jeff Jones, Todd Stroup, BJ Westhafer, and William Westhafer.  Westy’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 117 West Keller Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, following the burial.

Contributions in celebration of Westy’s life can be made to Mechanicsburg Area Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1093, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 or St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 117 West Keller Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

Westy’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Westy’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.