Heather L. West

Heather L. West, 39, of Springfield, left her earthly address at her residence at 8:38 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 for her heavenly home. Heather was born September 23, 1977 in Hillsboro, the daughter of Johnie and Sandra Bowling West Sr. Heather spent her life helping people. She earned a bachelors degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Springfield, and had begun work on her masters degree. She was employed at Trinity Lutheran Day Care, where she worked with preschoolers. She worked at Gateway Drug and Alcohol Center for five years full time, and still worked there part time. Heather loved her work trying to help people addicted to various drugs. She most recently was employed by SIU at the Noll Medical Pavilion as a Program Services Specialist. She will be missed by many as she touched lives of all ages in helping others in her career. Heather attended South Side Christian Church with her son, mother, and aunt. She is survived by her son, Carter West of Springfield; parents, Sandra West of Springfield and Johnie West, Sr. of Nokomis; brother, Johnie (Jamie) West, Jr. and their children, Justin and Jersey of Virden; companion, Sean Yount and his children, Yadier and Eden of Springfield; three aunts, Debra Oakley of Springfield, Lora Stivers of Tower Hill, Alice (Danny) Miller of Pana; four uncles, Richard (Debbie) West of Irving, Steve (Gail) West of Nokomis, Randy West of Nokomis, Jerry (Rita) West of Nokomis; grandmother, Betty West of Pana; and 14 cousins. Heather was a very giving person; in one last act of kindness, Heather was a Gift of Hope donor. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2017 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 South 6th Street, Springfield. Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, with Pastor Matt McClane officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Carter West Education Fund C/O any United Community Bank location for her sons continuing education at Calvary Academy.