Gilbert Westrich

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- Gilbert M. Westrich, 83, of New Hamburg died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 25, 1926, in Kelso, Mo., to Fridolin Phillip and Agatha Glueck Westrich. He married Veronica Bucher on April 14, 1948.

Westrich served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He worked as a cutter for Lowenbaum Dress Factory in Cape Girardeau, a clerk for Homestead Distributing in Sikeston, Mo., and a clerk for TSC in Cape Girardeau. He was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg, St. Joseph Sodality, past member of St. Lawrence Parish Council, charter member of VFW Post 3127 in Chaffee, Mo., and New Hamburg Senior Citizens Club.

He is survived by his wife; three sons, Robert (Diana) Westrich of Kelso, Calvin Westrich of Festus, Mo., Roger (Pam) Westrich of Cape Girardeau; four daughters, Sister Theresa Westrich of St. Paul, Minn., Ruth (Michael) Vetter, Mary (James) Simmons, and Jane (Lenny) Burford, all of Benton, Mo.; a sister, Rita Wahl of Cape Girardeau, 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg. Parish prayers will be at 6 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. at the church, with the Rev. Michael Casteel as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery with full military honors by Missouri Honors program.

Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to A.L.S., 2258 Weldon Parkway, St. Louis, MO 63146-3206.