Vernell V West

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday in Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville with Rev. Tom Compton officiating. Visitation from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Sunday. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to Lakewood United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association.

Mr. West was born on December 28, 1919 in Clinton, Illinois, the son of Carl and Minnie Blake West. He graduated from Clinton High School in the Class of 1937 and was a veteran of WW II serving in the Army Air Corps. As a lifelong farmer, Vernell was a member of the Shelby County Farm Bureau. He was also a member of the Lakewood United Methodist Church and a 52 year member of Jackson Masonic Lodge #53 in Shelbyville. A devoted husband of almost 60 years, Vernell shared his life with loving wife Joan May Chenoweth. They were united in marriage on May 9, 1947.

Surviving are his wife, Joan; sons, Roger West and wife Linda of Shelbyville and Scott West and wife Tina of Lakewood; daughters, Lori Gronek and husband Dave of Morris and Gail West of Marion; sister-in-law, Audrey West of Shelbyville; and eight grandchildren, Derek West, Jennifer West, Brooke Hammond and husband Jake, Jeremy West, Caleb West, Rachel West, Mike Gronek and Matt Gronek.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Hettie Eleanor Troxell West; brothers, Lyle and Dale West; and step-sister, Lucille Stanfill. Vernell leaves a wonderful legacy of gentle love and treasured memories. As the family accepts the departure of his physical presence they will remember always his remark at the end of another day in the field, “It’s time to call in the dog.”