Rev. Lowell West

CYPRESS, Ill. -- The Rev. Lowell G. West, 81, of Cypress died Tuesday, July 30, 2002, at his home.

He was born Oct. 14, 1920, in Dongola, Ill., son of Joseph and Stella Turner West. He married Hildah Troutman.

West was pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church near Dongola, and had pastored several Baptist churches in the area. He also farmed.

He was a lieutenant and B-24 pilot in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He received several medals including a Purple Heart.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Darlene Hurford and Rebekah West of Chandler, Ill., Edie West of Cypress; three sons, Dean West of Flat Rock, Ill., Larry West of Cypress, Lonnie West of Martinsville, Ill.; three sisters, Betty Fanning of Morton, Ill., Bethella Shelton of Jonesboro, Ill., Imogene Miller of Peoria, Ill.; a brother, Bob West of Metropolis, Ill.; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, three sisters, and two brothers.

Friends may call at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak, Ill., from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, with the Revs. Verlee Eaker and Charles Duckworth officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with military rites by VFW Post 5220 in Vienna, Ill.