On May 28, 2013, God welcomed a godly, faithful man of integrity and honesty into his heavenly kingdom.
Neil Wayne Westervelt was born in Columbus on February 23, 1947, to parents, Harold and Edith Wilcox Westervelt.
Neil married Joy Ring, Liberal, on September 11, 1971, and they moved to Iola in 1976 where she still resides.
Neil owned and operated M&W Mfg., Inc. in Iola from 1979 on, and it continues to this day under Westervelt ownership.
Neil has been a well respected and involved member of several local organizations throughout his years of living in Iola. He has been a deacon and served on several other committees at First Baptist Church where they became members in 1976 and more recently served on the board of Fellowship Regional Church. He belonged to the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce, Iola Industries and was the president of the local Rotary Club where he was an active member until poor health forced him to step down.
Neil loved his God and his family in that order. His last conscious act was to gather his wife and children to his side and lead them in a prayer of thanksgiving for our blessings and Gods strength and watchcare over all of his family in his absence.
He leaves behind his wife, Joy, son, J.C., daughter-in-law, Dedra, Son, Tod, daughter-in-law, Stacey, Son, Corey, daughter-in-law, Jaime, daughter, Lori and son-in-law, Casey Cary; all of Iola. Ten grandchildren, Sheldon, Braden, Noah, Jacob, Wyatt and Griffin Westervelt; Xavier, Ashley, Tristan and Lesleigh Cary, Iola.
Brother Paul Westervelt, sister-in-law Marilyn Westervelt, sister Judith Grant, all of Columbus, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mother-in-law, Violet Ring, brother-in-law Tim Ring, Liberal, Mo., brother-in-law Gary Ring and wife Judy Granby, Mo.
Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, May 31st, at Fellowship Regional Church in Iola.
Burial services will be Saturday, June 1st at 2:00 p.m. at the Fellowship Regional Church with graveside services immediately following at Highland Cemetery in Iola.
All are invited to join them afterwards at the family’s home at 22 Bassett St. to celebrate a life that was well loved and well lived.
Memorials are suggested to Iola Rotary Club or Cancer Treatment Centers of America and may be left at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com.
Neil Westervelt
