Name: Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home
Address: Cleveland, OH

No matter what the occasion, Lavon showed up. For family, for work, for play…and for life. No matter what health issues she faced, Lavon pushed through to be there for others.

I last saw her when she, Mike and their niece Julie all went out to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory in Westlake. It was a Sunday afternoon in May, and the wait would be about an hour. Every restaurant at that time of day was crowded, so it was no use going somewhere else. Besides, Lavon loved The Cheesecake Factory. 

The hostess asked us to wait outside because of the Covid-19 pandemic, so we found a bench in the shade and Julie, Mike, Lavon and I sat and visited for that hour. We laughed and reminisced. It was so nice. God’s way of giving us the gift of time. Time to be together and just enjoy one another’s company. 

Lavon and Mike had returned in recent weeks from a couple of months in Florida with their son and granddaughter. So I was anxious to catch up. It never ceased to amaze me how Lavon and Mike drove long distances, even in the last few years of her life, as her health setbacks became greater.

Every time I’d call Lavon and Mike from my home in Wisconsin, they’d put me on speaker and I’d get to talk with them both. Lavon would always say, “Honey, when are you coming in next? Why don’t you stay with us? You know, you’re always welcome here.” 

During Christmas a few years back I had taken them up on their offer. I drove in from Wisconsin and spent a few nights at their beautiful home in North Ridgeville. Both Lavon and Mike were so welcoming to my dog Mary, and unbeknownst to us humans, Mary had stashed a bunch of treat bones all over Mike and Lavon’s place. When Mike sat down in his La-Z-Boy days later, a dog bone poked him in the behind! They were finding Mary’s bones under couch cushions, in corners, all over the place!

I felt so at home at Mike and Lavon’s place. There was no pretense, no apologies for material things or lack thereof. Most important was God and family.

My dearest friend who was more like a sister than a friend.  We shared so much through the many years of our friendship both happiness and sorrow.  No words can tell what you meant to me, but we know.  Cooking, baking, no matter, we always shared with great joy.  Our boating years were wild and crazy and we loved every minute.  Mikie, thank you for bringing her into our lives.  Phillip, Matthew and Michael  her love for you was immeasurable and will be with you forever.  My dear friend Mike, along with Lavon, you are with me always and are so much of my heart.  Take care and God Bless all of you.  RIP Lavon .  love Karen.

To My Dear Forever Friend Lavonie,

Even though Mike called me and told me you had had a heart attack and passed away, My mind still cannot process it.  It just feels like you are still here. I know part of me says you are not, but my heart doesn’t seem to agree yet.  Sunday I kept looking out the front window to see if you guys were going to maybe stop by.  Of course you didn’t.  I keep thinking we were just together twice lately and the last time being the 4th of July when you were here.  We had such a good time and even started planning our next get together with the group.  We are all so glad you and Mike were able to be with us that day.  More good memories were made.  I want you to know we all will be there for Mike, but, especially, your boys will be.  We will try to keep him going with our prayers, our love, and our calls to check up on him.  I know how happy you were when you and Mike were getting married and how happy you have been since, despite all your health setbacks through the years.  Mike was always there to take care of you without complaining about it.  You were even happier at the birth of your sons, as well as helping to raise young Michael.  You loved those boys so much and were a good mother to them.   Well, you did a great job and, in turn, all three of the boys loved and still love you dearly.  God decided your job here is done and you no longer are tied down to a wheelchair and all the health concerns you had.  You are FREE my friend, free to run and play, water ski, dance on those cruises, whatever you want to do.  For that we are grateful.  We will miss you so much, Lavonie, but you have left us all with many great memories and we thank you for that.  We will eventually all meet in heaven and the group will carry on.  You already have Ace, Tim, and Johnny up there.  R I P my friend.  Better yet, you can rest any time you want to - so get up and show them all what you’re made of.  

Love forever through eternity

Jerry and Nancy Abruzzino 

July 21, 2021

Dear Mike and Family,

We are still in shock at the loss of Lavon so sometimes its hard to say what you want to say.  Believe me, our prayers are with all of you as you go on this new path of your journey.  We know it's not going to be an easy one, but we are all with you as we also grieve Lavon's passing.  We love you all and are here for you any time.  A new job for you is to teach Cooper all about his Grandma that made way for him to come into this world.

With love and God's blessings,

Jerry and Nancy Abruzzino
Valley City, Ohio



Every time I saw Lavon, whether at a family event, or when she would come to visit at my parents house, she brought joy and love with her. I always enjoyed coming into the room and listening to her conversations with my dad (Bill) and mom (Cathy), which were often filled with laughter.  Lavon’s spirit radiated a light and a love for family that was contagious. I know she will be missed.  

Lavon is and always be one of my Wonderful Friends that I call Family. We laughed & cried often together. She was always there to share her Love.❤️ She especially gave Love & support to my daughter Shelly as if she was the daughter she never had. Thank you so very much for that. , God has Blessed us for doing so much together ,From Camping trips with our group of friends &  Family  to dinners & celebrations. I now live in Florida  so I cannot go out to play like we once did but I Love then all from far away. Great full   for short visits that we shared when they visited with Phil & Wen . Lavon you will always be missed but I have you in my ❤️ forever. Please  tell Ace  how much I miss him &  Love him still. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️.I expect you and Ace &  Tim will be back together once again. Rest in the hands of our Lord. Peace Baby. 

Aunt Lavon made the best strawberry jam growing up! She was the glue that kept the youngest Westfall (Joe) family in the loop as we moved away from our beloved home of Cleveland, OH. Her countless family reunions will never be forgotten. I love her dearly and so happy I got to see her while in town last December. Truly blessed to have known her. You are missed Aunt Lavon… xoxo Lee

Throughout my many years of knowing you and Mike, you have been there for me in times of need. Lavon you were our earthly Angel. This is not a goodbye my sister friend. This is a thank you for sharing your beautiful Angel soul. I am honored to have known you here and will be honored to see you again. Thank you for your strength. 

Uncle Mike and family,

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.  May Lavon’s strength and spirit be a part of your daily life, and happy memories bring good feelings each day.  I will alway remember working with Lavon at Wagner’s Country Inn, and how she got me to wear that hideous uniform always makes me laugh.  I think of her and you all often.  God Bless, and cheers to Lavon!  I hope she’s dancing with Aunt Marilyn & Aunt Carol in Heaven.

Debbie Stacey (Len’s Daughter)

OBITUARY

Lavon A. Westfall

February 1, 1950 – July 13, 2021

Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home

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