George C. Westefeldt, beloved husband, father, grandfather, minister of the Gospel and friend, went home to the Lord on Jan. 12, 2009.

He was born Feb. 22, 1928 in Grosse Pointe, Mich., to George and Charlotte Westefeldt. He was the oldest of three children.

George Westefeldt was raised near Mt. Clemens, Mich., where he graduated from high school and joined the armed services. He was baptized into Christ by a chaplain in Japan and upon his discharge in San Francisco, he entered San Jose Bible College to prepare for his ministry.

George entered Cincinnati Bible Seminary from 1951-1952, was ordained, and served the Milford Church of Christ near Canterbury, Ohio as his first church. He was later called to serve as an interim missionary in Jamaica and to teach school at Sunset Beach Christian School in Oahu, Hawaii. He then returned to San Jose Bible College to speak. That is where he met his wife Shirley. They wed on Nov. 27, 1959 in Klamath Falls, Ore.

The Lord led George to many congregations during his 50 years of ministry. These congregations include Weott, Calif.; Sonoma, Calif.; Gridley, Calif.; Clarksburg, Calif., UCC; Lind, Wash., UCC; Tekoa, Wash., UCC; and Anacortes, Wash., UCC.

George loved woodworking and was a 4-H woodworking leader for 15 years. After moving to Oak Harbor in 1987, George loved selling his woodcrafts at the Farmers Markets in Coupeville and Oak Harbor. He also loved making and flying model airplanes, traveling, cooking, reading, and gardening -– tomatoes were his favorite.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Shirley of Oak Harbor; sister Dolores Marten of Helendale, Calif.; two children, Kurt Westefeldt of Edmonds and Lisa Gfeller of Lind, Wash.; and two grandchildren, Grady and Garrett Gfeller of Lind.

George was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Ralph Westefeldt.

A celebration of his life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Oak Harbor, 1050 SE Ireland Street, at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2802 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, WA 98221, or First United Methodist Church, 1050 SE Ireland St., Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and nurse’s aides at Careage of Whidbey for their loving care. Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor has been entrusted with arrangements.