Merle A. Westover

HAWARDEN, IOWA ~ Merle A. Westover, 82, of Hawarden, entered into death on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, surrounded by family, stepdaughter Michelle, wife Judy, and close friend Norm Brown at Hillcrest Health Care Services in Hawarden.

 Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden, with Rev. Michael Boothby of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ireton, Iowa officiating. Following a time of refreshments, the inurnment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Alcester, South Dakota at 12:30 p.m. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

 Merle A. Westover was born January 8, 1942, in Hawarden, Iowa, the son of Anthony “Tony” and Lillian (Anderson) Westover. He remained in Hawarden all his life. 

 Merle was baptized in Canton, South Dakota and attended Hawarden Public Schools. He married Judy (Johnson, Reed) at Oak Grove Park near Hawarden on May 30, 1985. The couple remained in Hawarden and Merle helped raise his stepchildren, Michelle R. Wilson and Joseph B. Reed. Later in 1994, Merle and Judy became proud grandparents of Shawn M. Wilson.

 Merle worked odd jobs on farms and at GM Trading and around Hawarden. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, wood crafting, whittling, collecting John Wayne and Elvis memorabilia, coins, and pheasant stuff. He enjoyed taking care of his fish and dogs, and spending time with friends and family. He volunteered as a Senior Companion at Hillcrest Health Care Services for many years and served as Foster Grandparent at Wee Care for a short time.

 Survivors included his wife, Judy A. Westover; 2 stepchildren, Michelle Wilson of Alcester, South Dakota and Joseph Reed of Hartley, Iowa; grandson, Shawn M. Wilson of Alcester; 2 sisters, Dorothy Harwood of Sioux City, Iowa and Marcella Brandhagen of Hawarden; brother, Donald (Christine) Westover of Blair, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law, Gloria Thompson and family and Ginger Waterman and family; many nieces, nephews, and extended families.

 Merle was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; brother, Davis Westover; sister, Evelyn Hendrix; nephew, Elvis Boyer; sister-in-law, Mary Kay Dimmick; and many other friends and relatives.