- Date Of Birth: May 13, 1941
- Date Of Death: April 1, 2022
- State: Michigan
In the early morning hours of April 1, 2022, Bernard Lee Westra went to be with his Lord and Savior. Bernie was born on May 13, 1941, to Barney and Florence Westra. He graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School. On June 10, 1960, he married his wife of 61 years, Shirley Ann (Holtman) Westra.
He leaves behind his beloved children, Stephen (Joy) Westra, Robinne (Toddy) Helsel, Amy (Tom) Block, BJ (Cheryl) Westra; grandchildren, Danielle Westra, Jordan (Meagan) Westra, Nicholas (Melissa) Crandall, Cameron (Chelsea) Ramer, Brynn (Larry) Colwell, Brice Ramer, Kayleigh (Matt) Veldt, Lauren (Michael) Riley, Marquette Block, Savannah (Kyle) Lemmer, Brooklyn (William) Hatfield, Mackinney Block, Joshua (Linnea) Westra, and Levi Westra; 16 great-grandchildren; siblings, Patricia (Jerry) Pinkster, Herman (Georgia) Westra; Marian (Melvin) VanDyk, Marilynn (Dale) Hoeksema, and Karl Westra (special friend Kristine); sister-in-law, Judy (John) Kline; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; parents; parents-in-law, Adolph and Margaret Holtman; brother, John Westra; and sister-in-law, Linda Hurley.
Throughout his children’s growing-up years, Bernie passionately served as a baseball coach at Milwood Little League and as a basketball coach for the YMCA youth church league. He faithfully worked for The Upjohn Company for 35 years and served several years after his retirement as the custodian at Grace Christian Reformed Church. He enjoyed his family vacations to Gun Lake while his children were young.
In his retirement, he enjoyed visiting flea markets and garage sales and purchasing antiques/treasures to refinish for his children and grandchildren. He loved laying in his pool on a summer afternoon after work (no kids or splashing allowed) and, later in life, enjoyed time watching his kids, their friends and finally his grandkids and great grandchildren playing around the pool. He was a faithful member of Second Christian Reformed Church.
