John West

John E. West, age 79, of Danville, passed away at 6:30 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at his home. He was born April 22, 1928 in Danville the son of James and Gladys (Manley) West. He married Martha J. Scarlett on July 18, 1953 in Danville. She survives. John is also survived by one son: James West III (Norma Curry) of Danville; three daughters: Jacqueline Suzi West (Michael Sroufek) of Tilton, Connie Housley (Doug) of Fort Worth, Texas, Kathy Peck (Vern) of Atlanta, GA; two brothers: William West (Joan) of Danville, James Jr. West (Jackie) of Covington; one sister: Joyce Long (Bill) of Covington; ten grandchildren: Brandy Martin (J.W.), Mindy Hobbs (Peyton), Jessie Lomax (Patrick Ablinger), Jacob West, Ryan Peck, Sarah Ruggles, Jerrod Ruggles, Stevie Housley, Jordan Housley, Dylan Housley; five great grandchildren: John Logan Hobbs, Josiah Martin, Kendall Hobbs, Emma Grace Martin, Quinton Ablinger; special friends: Dick Varner, Mike and Wanda West and his two care givers: Cindy Watson and Missy Bogart. John was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter: Cindy Lou West and one sister: Mary Frew. John served as a cook in the Army Air Corp. He later worked as an operator at Lauhoff until he had to medically retire after the explosion there in 1981. John was an avid Cubs fan and enjoyed playing euchre and fishing for bass. He liked to sing and dance. John loved cooking. His specialties where BBQ Ribs and Italian Beef. He was a union steward at Lauhoff and was a member of the American Legion and VFW. What Are Fathers Made of? A father is a thing that is forced to endure childbirth without an anesthetic. A father is a thing that growls when it feels good-and laughs very loud when its scared half to death. A father never feels entirely worthy of the worship in a childs eyes. Hes never quite the hero his daughter thinks, never quite the man his son believes him to be- and this worries him, sometimes. So he works too hard to try and smooth the rough places in the road for those of his own who will follow him. A father is a thing that gets very angry when the first school grades arent as good as he thinks they should be. He scolds his son though he knows its the teachers fault. Fathers are what give daughters away to other men who arent nearly good enough so they can have grandchildren who are smarter than anybodys. Fathers make bets with insurance companies about wholl live the longest. Though they know the odds, they keep right on betting. And one day they lose. I dont know where fathers go when they die. But Ive an idea that after a good rest, wherever it is, he wont be happy unless theres work to do. He wont just sit on a cloud and wait for the girl hes loved and the children she bore. Hell be busy there, too, repairing the stairs, oiling the gates, improving the streets, smoothing the way. By Paul Harvey