Hamilton County

 

Pvt. Morris Bernard Westervelt

 

 

 

Morris Bernard Westervelt was born Mar. 24, 1915 to Milo Bernard and Avo M. Fitz Westervelt. He died July 29, 1977 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.

Private Westervelt served three and one-half years in the Army Air Corps in World War II. He was a past commander of the Webster City American Legion Post.

His Obituary: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Aug. 1, 1977

Morris B. Westervelt, 62, owner of Westervelt’s Shoe store in Webster City since 1946, died Friday evening at Hamilton County hospital. He had been seriously ill for the past two months and in poor health for a year.

Except for three and one-half years of service in the Army Air Corps, he had worked in retail stores on Webster City’s Second Street since he was a 13-year-old school boy.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Foster Funeral home with the Rev. Alva Hohl officiating. Burial will be at Graceland cemetery. Military graveside rites will be held by the American Legion post No. 191.

Morris Westervelt, son of Avo and Bernard Westervelt, was born March 24, 1915, in Churdan, Iowa. At the age of 12 he moved with his family to Webster City, where he graduated from Lincoln High school in 1932. He attended Webster City Junior college and the University of Iowa.

He was married on Jan. 21, 1940 to Louise H. Weymiller, who preceded him in death on May 9, 1976.

In 1940 he purchased the Hub Clothing store in partnership with the late Donald C. (Pat) Isham. After the outbreak of World War II, he sold his interest in the Hub to enlist in the Air Corps and served in the European theater of operations.

Following his discharge from service, he bought the Bossert Shoe store, which he operated as Westervet’s until his death.

For many years he devoted a great share of his time to the work of Alcoholics Anonymous. He was a past commander of the local American Legion post, a past president of the Webster City Chamber of Commerce and a past exalted ruler of the Benevolent Order of Elks.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church, UCC, of Webster City, the Kiwanis Club and Acacia Lodge of the Masonic Order.

He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Joseph (Linda) Latella, Webster City; his mother, Mrs. Bernard Westervelt, Webster City; a sister, Mrs. Barton (Barbara) Seen, Kansas City, Mo.; three grandchildren, Laura, Stephanie and Christina Latella, Webster City; and a niece, Mrs. Michael (Gail) Hennessey, Kansas City, Mo. His father, Bernard Westervelt, preceded him in death in 1976.

The family suggests memorial gifts to the American Cancer Society.

Source: ancestry.com