Obituary for Delbert A. West
Winnebago - Delbert A. West, 71, of Winnebago, entered eternal life on Thursday, July 30, 2015, from his home, surrounded by his loving family, following a brief illness. Born December 15, 1943, in Rockford, the son of Floyd A. and Florence J. (Heathman) West. Attended Fell School, Wempletown Grade School and graduated from Winnebago High School in 1961. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 1, 1962, in Rockford, serving four years as a Radioman Third Class aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60), home ported in Mayport, FL, and was discharged in Brooklyn, NY on July 12, 1966. He loved his time in the Navy and spoke often and fondly of his travels overseas.
Delbert married Paulette Nimocks on May 27, 1967, in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rockford. Having joined Illinois Bell Telephone Company in 1966, he later went to work for ATT and Lucent Technologies, retiring in 2000. Delbert then began his own business, West Communications, which he ran with his great friend Jack, until 2006. After his career in telecommunications, Delbert worked at ACE Hardware, Winnebago, up until the time of his passing.
Delbert loved spending time with his family and getting involved in school and community activities. He coached little league baseball, was active with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts (Troop 705), and ran the sideline chains during high school football games in Winnebago for several years.
Delbert had a great passion for hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He loved spending time "up north" on family property in Cornell, WI, and fishing on the nearby Holcombe Flowage with his sons. In 1981, he co-purchased property in northwest Pecatonica with his close friends, which they used for hunting, collecting maple syrup and outdoor recreation. Some of his favorite memories were spent here with this special group of friends that he considered brothers, affectionately dubbed "The Slu Cru" - Mark, Greg, Mike, Ray, Stew, Bill, Tony, Larry and Rick.
Delbert will be remembered for his friendliness, warmth, generosity and a laugh so infectious that one couldn't help but join in. He was as genuine and caring a person as one could ever know. He was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, friend and neighbor whose uplifting presence will be dearly missed, but whose legacy of kindness, humor and love of life will remain in our hearts forever.
Delbert is lovingly survived by his wife of 48 years, Paulette; sons, Brian (Stephanie) of Winnebago, Lance of Loves Park, Brent (Jonalyn) of Annapolis, MD and Brad of Gainesville, FL; grandchildren, Kimberly, Stephen, Ronnie and Kashannah-Bee; sister, Darlene (Gordon) Walstrom; mother-in-law, Joyce Nimocks; brother-in-law, Glenn Franklin; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Doris McDougall Franklin; brother, Donny Dickerson; and brothers-in-law, Duane McDougall and George Kapotas.
Delbert's family would like to give special thanks to their dear family members, friends, neighbors and the entire Winnebago community for their thoughts, prayers, love and support. They would also like to recognize Heartland Hospice for their gracious care, compassion and thoughtfulness.
Funeral Information
Service at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2015, in Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago. Burial in North Burritt Cemetery, Winnebago. Visitation 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 3, 2015, in the funeral home.
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Delbert married Paulette Nimocks on May 27, 1967, in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rockford. Having joined Illinois Bell Telephone Company in 1966, he later went to work for ATT and Lucent Technologies, retiring in 2000. Delbert then began his own business, West Communications, which he ran with his great friend Jack, until 2006. After his career in telecommunications, Delbert worked at ACE Hardware, Winnebago, up until the time of his passing.
Delbert loved spending time with his family and getting involved in school and community activities. He coached little league baseball, was active with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts (Troop 705), and ran the sideline chains during high school football games in Winnebago for several years.
Delbert had a great passion for hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He loved spending time "up north" on family property in Cornell, WI, and fishing on the nearby Holcombe Flowage with his sons. In 1981, he co-purchased property in northwest Pecatonica with his close friends, which they used for hunting, collecting maple syrup and outdoor recreation. Some of his favorite memories were spent here with this special group of friends that he considered brothers, affectionately dubbed "The Slu Cru" - Mark, Greg, Mike, Ray, Stew, Bill, Tony, Larry and Rick.
Delbert will be remembered for his friendliness, warmth, generosity and a laugh so infectious that one couldn't help but join in. He was as genuine and caring a person as one could ever know. He was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, friend and neighbor whose uplifting presence will be dearly missed, but whose legacy of kindness, humor and love of life will remain in our hearts forever.
Delbert is lovingly survived by his wife of 48 years, Paulette; sons, Brian (Stephanie) of Winnebago, Lance of Loves Park, Brent (Jonalyn) of Annapolis, MD and Brad of Gainesville, FL; grandchildren, Kimberly, Stephen, Ronnie and Kashannah-Bee; sister, Darlene (Gordon) Walstrom; mother-in-law, Joyce Nimocks; brother-in-law, Glenn Franklin; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Doris McDougall Franklin; brother, Donny Dickerson; and brothers-in-law, Duane McDougall and George Kapotas.
Delbert's family would like to give special thanks to their dear family members, friends, neighbors and the entire Winnebago community for their thoughts, prayers, love and support. They would also like to recognize Heartland Hospice for their gracious care, compassion and thoughtfulness.
Funeral Information
Service at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2015, in Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago. Burial in North Burritt Cemetery, Winnebago. Visitation 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 3, 2015, in the funeral home.
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