John “Big Bad John” L. Westfall, 90, of North Lewisburg died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 in his home.
He was born May 25, 1929 in North Lewisburg to Ralph B. and Mary Margaret (Moore) Westfall.
He was a 1947 graduate of Bellefontaine High School.
He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Woodstock Church, where he was involved with the restoration of the old church.
He enjoyed restoring old cars, as well as driving them. He also enjoyed pretty wood, pretty rocks, pretty cattle, pretty cars and pretty women.
He was a member of the Buick Club of America, the Buick Driving Enthusiasts, the Buicks Our Way and the Champaign Cruisers.
He was a volunteer fireman in North Lewisburg and played on the firemen’s softball team. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999 and played varsity football at Ohio Wesleyan University from 1948-1950.
He was a member of the Triad Board of Education, where he was an Honorary Booster in 1982.
He belonged to the Woodstock Lions Club, where he received a Distinguished Service Award in 1982.
He was also a member of the Federal Land Bank Board of Directors and the Civic Club of North Lewisburg as a “founder of the present ball field and park.”
His main goal in life was to enjoy his family and live on his own time.
He is survived by his daughters, Sherri Lynn (Robert) Crowder of North Lewisburg and Dori Ann (Jack) Harshbarger of DeGraff; sons, JD (Roxanne) Westfall of Atlanta, Georgia, Karl Leonard (Nancy) Westfall of Racine, Wisconsin, and Bart Allen Westfall of Little Rock, Arkansas; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law (Barbara) Westfall of Greenville, North Carolina.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Alice A. Westfall; parents; sisters, Annette (Robert) Keeran and Rosemary Smith; and brother, Ralph David Westfall.
A private burial will take place at the convenience of the family. Inurnment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Freshwater, McDonald and Vernon Funeral Home, North Lewisburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Woodstock Church, 332 W Bennett St, Woodstock, Ohio 43084; Northeast Champaign County Fire District, 60 East Maple St, North Lewisburg, Ohio 43060; or Loving Care Hospice, 779 London Ave, Marysville, Ohio 43040.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com.