Emily Westerman Obituary, Death – Emily Westerman, 66, died on October 11 at 1:04 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Illinois. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by his family. A memorial mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Church in LaSalle on Monday, October 21, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. Father J.A. Small of St. Joseph’s Church in Peru and Father Tom Otto of LaSalle Catholic Parishes will officiate at the mass. Visitation will be held at Ptak Funeral Home in Peru, Illinois, on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. Following the memorial service, the deceased’s body will be laid to rest at St. Vincent’s Cemetery in LaSalle.
There have been cremation rituals performed. David Westerman was born on September 9, 1953, at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, to David (later to pass away) and Beverly (Betts) Westerman. Harley and Henrietta Betts of Strawberry Point, Iowa, were his maternal grandparents, and John and Ila Westerman of Mendota, Illinois, was his paternal grandparents (all deceased.) David was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church in Mendota, Illinois. He began his education in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but finished high school in Wisconsin. David earned his Associate’s degree from IVCC and soon after began working in the printing industry, where he stayed for several years after finishing his education. David’s lifelong obsession and pursuit was music.
He was known throughout the Illinois Valley as a talented and accomplished pianist who played in a variety of bands throughout his life. “Say Uncle,” “Little Uncle,” “Blind Dates,” “Ric Soens Band,” “4 out of 5 Doctors,” and “Y. Scat” are among the bands. David played music with such passion that seeing him perform was an authentic and one-of-a-kind experience. One of his favorite activities was playing music with his brother Stephen, which he continued to do even when he was sick. David married a local woman named Sarah Kostellic from LaSalle in August 1984. Beverly Westerman of Mendota, his wife Sarah of LaSalle, one son Matthew (Krista) Westerman of LaSalle, two daughters Kristen Westerman of Peru and Emily (Emma) Westerman of LaSalle, and his brother Stephen (Gerilyn Hocking) Westerman of LaSalle, with whom he lived for the past six months under Stephen and Gerilyn’s loving care.
Beverly Wester, his mother, survives him. Michael Westerman, who lives in LaSalle, is one of his nephews. His five grandchildren are Antonio C., Zach, and Marly Escatel, as well as Rhyan Westerman and Alyson Westerman. Peace is “What it IS” in that sense. Instead of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Illinois Valley Pads, P.O. Box 1012, LaSalle, Illinois 61301. You can express your condolences to the family at www.PtakFH.com.