Ernest "Ernie" West

Peoria, IL – Ernest “Ernie” West, 86, of Peoria, passed away at 8:30 p.m. Monday, August 25, 2014 at Heartland ManorCare in Peoria. He was born March 20, 1928 in Tiltonsville, Ohio to Franklin Blair and Josephine (Schucht) West. He married Edna Blanche Perkins in Louisville, Kentucky on July 11, 1949, just celebrating their 65th anniversary. Along with his wife, Ernie is survived by three children, Michelle (and Richard) Akins of Jefferson, Wisconsin, Diane (and Douglas) Hewison of Watertown, Wisconsin, Beth (and Michael) Martin of Houston, Texas; daughter-in-law, Valary West of Dallas, Texas; 9 grandchildren, Luke Akins, Molly Strouse, Katie Tschida, Daniel Akins, Douglas Hewison Jr., Barry Hewison, Ben Hewison, Sonja West; Brandi Martin and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Roger; grandson, Stephen Garner; and three brothers, Woody, Westy and Bill. Ernie was a United States Army of Occupation Veteran following WWII serving in Japan from 1946 thru 1948 as a Military Policeman attaining the rank of Sergeant. He retired from Keystone Steel and Wire Company as a general superintendent of maintenance and engineering in March 1990, with 25 years of service. He was a member of University United Methodist Church in Peoria for 44 years where Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2014 with Rev. Paul Arnold officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Church prior to services. Entombment will be at Parkview Cemetery Chapel of Peace Mausoleum in Peoria. Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria is in charge of services. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to University United Methodist Church or American Heart Association. Online condolences may be made at www.davison-fulton.com.