John F. Westafer, 90, of Bourbon, Ind., passed away at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012, at Miller’s Merry Manor Nursing Home of Plymouth, Ind.

A long time Bourbon business owner he was born the son of Edward and Emma Frantz Westafer on Jan. 20, 1922, in Wabash County, Urbanna, Ind. He was the second youngest of five siblings. He graduated from Chester High School in 1940 and went into farming with his parents.With the start of World War II he entered the Army and was part of the post war occupation Army of Japan.

After World War II he started farming in Tippecanoe where he became a true Tippecanoe “River Rat” and proud follower of the Tippecanoe Police Dogs even after moving to Bourbon with Bourbon Comets fans in his household. In 1947 he became part owner of the Bourbon Foundry until 1977 when he retired. After his “semi retirement” he went back to his roots and went back to farming with Mack Fetters. He was also known as the fishing “Blue Gill Champ” of Marshall County fishing over 98 lakes that he could remember. His main fishing partner was Malon Robinson.

John was also a sport enthusiast as a Cubs fan for over 81 years and a fan of local sports of which he was inducted into the Triton Sports Hall of Fame the first year. As with many small towns, John also volunteered as a fireman with the Bourbon Fire Department.

John met Doris Irene Carothers of LaPaz and on Nov. 24, 1948, he and Doris were married.John is survived by his wife: Doris, Bourbon; two sons: Ronald Edward and Larry Lee, both of Bourbon; and seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister: Violet Colclesser; and four brothers: Lawrence, Clem, Glen and Eugene.

The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 27, at Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon. Funeral services will follow at 4 p.m. Wednesday with his grandson, Pastor Ted Westafer, officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bourbon.

The family requests memorial contributions to: Marshall County Hospice and Palliative Care in his memory. Marshall County Hospice, 112 S. Center St, Suite C, Plymouth, IN 46563.