Steve Westervelt began life in this world on August 26, 1948, born William Eugene (W.E.) and Celena M. (Herrington) Westervelt. He passed from this life into his eternal resting place with his Lord and Savior on April 19, 2023, at CRMC in Coffeyville, Kansas.
Steve is the fourth son of five plus one sister, He was born at the Southeast Kansas Hospital in Parker, Kanas prior to the township incorporating into Coffeyville. Steve grew up in the Coffeyville area where he attended school and graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School.
Shawn, the son of Steven and Sharon is fearlessly doing his best, to fulfill the new role of the leader of the family shares his perspective of his dad’s life as a son, brother, husband, and father.
After graduation Dad began working. He met my mom, Sharon Kay Robinett, while they were working at Blitz Manufacturing. He caught her attention by shooting her in the backside with a staple gun. They were united in marriage on December 21st, 1969 and were married for 53 wonderful years at the time of Dad's death. Dad took his vows of commitment to Mom as an eternal promise. For 53 years, they loved each other in sickness and in health. I promised my Dad I would make sure Mom was safe. I will do my best to honor that promise.
My parents had two children Sandra (Sandy) Kay Westervelt, and me, Shawn Matthew Westervelt. My Dad took his marriage vows to heart and followed them to the letter. As I collected the wedding ring from Dad after he passed in the hospital, it occurred to me that was the first time it had left his hand in 53 years.
Dad was a long-time employee of Funk Manufacturing. He retired after over 30 years of service in 2004 as a maintenance mechanic. Dad loved animals and had numerous dogs, cats, and horses over the years, but none he loved as much as his black Lab Jetta. Dad had various hobbies and interests throughout his life. He was a life-long member of the Keystone Masonic Lodge and enjoyed softball, horses, fly fishing, hunting, competitive shooting, reenactments, and photography. I didn’t notice at the time, but his interests evolved to the things those important to him were interested in. Looking back, his interest was his family. He pursued any activity those around him wanted to do. Dad only wanted to spend time with his family. It wasn’t the activity; it was the time with those around him.
As much as Dad loved his family, Mom was the center of his world. Every decision he made had her at the center. He made sure every aspect of Mom's needs were cared for. Nothing would come between them, and Dad fought fearlessly for Mom and loved her without boundaries.
Dad always tried to protect his family anyway he could. Even when he made the phone call to inform me that he was ill and, in the hospital, telling me there wasn’t a need to come. Thankfully, the nurse at CRMC took over the conversation allowing the family to arrive and spend his final days with him before his passing.
There are two times a person is most vulnerable in their life, when they are born and when they die. I was there with Dad when he passed. I saw his pupils pulse. I believe that was his soul, leaving his body.
Steve is survived by his wife, Sharon, daughter Sandy Westervelt and partner Lisa Collins and son Shawn Westervelt and wife Holly, grandchildren Cade, Peyton and Brennan Westervelt, brother Bill Westervelt and wife Kim. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Eugene (W.E.) Westervelt (August 29, 1900 – November 3, 1974), Mom Celena M. Westervelt (August 31, 1906 – March 1, 1985); brothers, Marion Westervelt (1926 – 1927), Robert, “Bobby” Westervelt (1928), Phillip Westervelt (1932 – 1945), and sister Norma Jean Westervelt Wright-Eveleigh (July 5, 1924 – August 22, 1997).
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