Jay L. West
BARABOO / PORTAGE -- Jay L. West, age 93, passed away on Saturday, November 12, 2016, at St. Clare Meadows in Baraboo.
Jay was born on March 3, 1923, near Fort Atkinson, in the Town of Cold Springs, Jefferson County, the son of Arthur J. and Emma (Parrell) West. He grew up in Fort Atkinson and graduated from Fort Atkinson high school. Jay married Elizabeth Hegerich in Madison on June 28, 1946. Elizabeth preceded him in death on January 31, 2000. He married Rose Mary Van Bree on October 6, 2001 in Portage. Jay served his country in the United States Army. He joined the 28th Division, Keystone Division of Pennsylvania, in England on January 1, 1944. They entered France on July 3, 1944 at Saint Lo. The 28th Division was the first American unit to enter Paris in August of 1944. A commemorative U.S. stamp was issued to honor and reflect their march to the Arc de Triumph. After 4 campaigns across France, Jay was captured at Clervaux, Luxemburg on December 18, 1944, and was a P.O.W. at Stalag IX-B near Bad Orb, Germany.
Jay was employed with Wisconsin Telephone Company for 41 years, throughout Wisconsin; in Madison, Janesville, Eau Claire, Ashland, Appleton, and Green Bay, working in various positions from Lineman to Marketing Manager and District Engineer. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club for over 45 years, and the Benevolent Order of Elks for over 56 years. Jay was a life member of the VFW and the American Legion. Jay was the Emeritus Director for the Zona Gale Center of the Arts, served on the Board of Directors of the Saddle Ridge Association and was a member of the Portage Country Club. Jay volunteered as a tax assistant for the Columbia county commission on Aging for 20 years, and as a Divine Savior Healthcare Volunteer helping with the Love Light Tree for 20 years.
Jay was especially grateful for the love given him by Rose Mary and Elizabeth, the pride he held for all of his children, and the involvement afforded him by all of his grandchildren. He also enjoyed many years of trout fishing and hunting, and said his association with golfers, bridge players and the groups with which he worked with had made his a “great life”.
Jay is survived by his wife, Rose Mary West, Baraboo; his children, Michael A. West, Fox Point, and Karen Anne (Richard) Hebert and stepson, Anthony, Chippewa Falls; his step-children, Sheila (Glenn Lubbe) Van Bree, Corinth, TX, Penny (Tom) Bernard, Sun Prairie, WI, Ann (Jerry Hinz) Van Bree, Baraboo, Dr. Margaret Van Bree, Barrington, RI, and Mary Claire Orenic, Manhattan Beach, CA; his step-grandchildren, Kurt Lubbe, Lara (Thomas) Bell, Kevin, Zoe, and Lexi Bernard, Tadd (Angie) Wilson, Matt Nelson, Evan Van Bree, and Christopher Orenic; his step-great grandchildren Beckett Wilson and Rayna Bell; his sister, Zella Mae (Ralph) Bacon, Fairfield Glen, TN; his brother-in-law, George Mitchell, King, WI, other relatives and many friends. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Elizabeth, his son, Peter, his sisters, Dorothy Mitchell, Aileen and her husband Burton McComb, step-son-in-law, Dr. Christopher Orenic and step-grandson, Tim Wilson.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 until 3:30 pm, on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage. A memorial service will follow at 3:30 pm with Father Gary Krahenbuhl presiding. A private inurnment with Military Honors will follow with family only. The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage (www.pmmfh.com) is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Zona Gale Center in Portage. |
