Wesley Rein Zylstra, 86, died at his home in Summer Hill Assisted Living Center, Oak Harbor, on Jan. 27, 2009. He was born in Oak Harbor on Sept. 25, 1922, to Rein and Viola (Bangs) Zylstra.
Wes worked for Whidbey Island Naval Air Station at the Naval Accounting Office during high school, becoming property manager and was responsible for tracking all equipment aboard the Naval Air Station. He graduated from Oak Harbor High School.
Wes attempted to enter the U.S. Navy at the start of World War II, but failed the eye exam. A short time later, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was accepted. Wes was sent to Europe, Casa Blanca, North Africa, Africa, Italy, France and Germany. His company was responsible for the liberation of Rome one day prior to D-Day.
Wes returned to Oak Harbor following his discharge from the service. He attended Metropolitan Business School in Seattle for a short time and then began work at the Oak Harbor Post Office. His beginning salary was 84 cents per hour with a 5 cents per hour raise each year he stayed with the Post Office. He worked in the office for nine years and then became a rural carrier for the next 18 years. He also worked for many years at Whidbey Furniture Store. Wes was married to Dorothy M. “Dottie” Meeter on Jan. 11, 1947, and they repeated their vows at St. Joseph of Cupertino Catholic Church, NAS Whidbey, on Aug. 15, 1966.
Wes suffered a severe stroke on April 23, 1972, which caused the loss of function of an arm and leg. His disability would not stop Wes from being active. He began service as a volunteer with the Cornet Bay Fire Department, serving as secretary/treasurer with the department for 33 years. Wes was a very committed member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. He taught sixth grade CCD classes for 13 years and junior and senior high for 12 years. He was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus, John E. O’Brien Council No. 3361, a life member of the Oak Harbor American Legion, George Morris Post 2282, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a long-time member of the Whidbey Whirlers Square Dance Club.
Wes loved to dance and during his time in Seattle, he attended many dances in the large dance halls. The shipyards were booming and many of the dance facilities would hold swing shift dances to accommodate the workers’ schedules.
Wes is survived by four very special nieces and nephews: Donna Willett of Sammamish, Lana Kemppainen of Brier, Bonnie Wescott of Kennewick, and Warren Berry of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Rosary was recited at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church on Friday, Jan. 30. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Church at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, with Rev. Philip Raether as Celebrant. Interment prayers will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery with military honors provided by the U.S. Army. A reception will follow at St. Augustine’s Parish Hall. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
