Edith E. Westervelt, 97, left to be with the Lord Jan. 7, 2013, at the Medicalodge of Columbus.
She was the last surviving sibling of nine children, born to Wiley E. Wilcox and Bertha Baker Wilcox. Preceding her in death were three brothers, Harvey, Homer and Wayne; and five sisters, Gertrude Helwig, Flossie “Tat” Souders, Mary Crain, four-year-old Elsie and an infant, Retha.
After graduating from Columbus High School, she received her Normal Training Certificate and taught for one year at Ninety Three School and three years at Crossroads Rural Schools in the rural Columbus area.
Edith was baptized with Christ as a youngster in a farm pond and became a member of the Sherwin Christian Church along with her family. In 1950 she moved to the Center Community, south of Columbus, with her husband and three children. At the time, she because a member of the Center Christian Church and has been an active member for 63 years. She always considered Center and Sherwin both as her home churches.
She was a member of Golden Hours EHU for 60 years and was a community leader for Center Busy Bees 4-H club while her children were young. She always worked on the farm and worked more than 10 years as an assistant cook at the Greenlawn School.
Surviving are two sons, Neil Westervelt and wife Joy, Iola, and Paul Westervelt and wife Marilyn, Columbus; one daughter, Judi Grant, Columbus; nine grandchildren, Wiley and Gary Westervelt, Columbus, Lori Westervelt/Cary, J.C., Tod and Corey Westervelt, Iola, Mark Grant, Caney, Tracy Grant/Parsons, Columbus, and Erin Grant/Fletcher, Pittsburg, as well as 24 great-grandchildren.
Edith lived a long and happy life and enjoyed quilting and spending time with her family.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday at Derfelt Funeral Home in Columbus.
Edith Westervelt
