Edgar West

Edgar Henry West, 91, of Alden, passed away Tuesday, August 24, 2011. Born in Farmington, MI to Martha Mae (Miller) West and Henry West. Ed graduated from Farmington High School, class of 1938. He worked several; jobs during his school years to be able to purchase a used Model A and T cars to tinker on and cruise around in. He then married Irene Marie Schweizer on June 14, 1941.

In April 1943 he was inducted into the army before the birth of his first daughter, Julia Marie, born 10/25/43. While in the army, he passed all of his test at University of Buffalo, NY to become an Aviation Cadet (Pilot, Navigator, and Bombardier). Unfortunately, anyone with infantry training never got to pursue Aviation because they were called overseas. He served with the 311 Infantry - 78th Lighting Division arriving in England on his daughter's 1st birthday, 10/25/44. His troop received several Presidential Citations, which include the taking of the town of Schmidt, Germany, the Schwammel Dam, the Ramagen Bridge, and the Battle of the Bulge. While volunteering to transport ammunition to an ammo exhausted position, his Jeep was fired upon, puncturing tires on the Jeep and trailer. During the barrage, PFC West changed and repaired the tires and delivered the ammo to stave off the counter attack. He was written up in a recommendation to receive the Bronze Star, but his lieutenant was killed before turning it in. Also, during the incident Ed came millimeters from losing his own life. Shrapnel pierced through the glove box and lodged in a case of Dentyne gum he had grabbed at the last minute and threw in on top of blasting caps. He still has that case of gum with the shrapnel in it. He departed Europe on his birthday, 12/27/45. During his time in the service he kept a very detailed journal of his experiences.

Ed was employed with Ford Motor Company for 38 years, spending most of that time at the Livonia Transmission Plant in Supervision over Shipping, Receiving and Salvage Depts. He watched tanks for the troops and the first Ford Tractors come off the line. He also worked extra jobs including washing pans at the Farmington Bakery, to earn extra money to build his first home. He also helped build a home for his parents and Irene's parents. On December 18, 1948, his second daughter Cynthia Anne was born. Then Ed started another project to build the next home for his family on Cloverdale in Farmington where he resided until 1976 when he retired from Fords. He and Irene spent their winters in Venice, FL (Harbor Lights and Kings Gate) and summers in Alden, MI on beautiful Torch Lake where he and his lovely bride of 70 years enjoyed many sunsets together.

Ed loved to tinker and stay busy constantly fixing, repairing and renewing things. A hobby, and of course, extra money making project was to pick up bicycle parts off the curb, someone else's junk being thrown out. He would strip it down, repaint it and it was now shiny and looking like new.

Ed enjoyed hunting and golf in his early years. He also enjoyed fishing, watching the races and taking the grandchildren out for a spin on the pontoon on Torch Lake. He loved taking Irene fishing on the intercoastal waters where she began to out fish him at times, to her enjoyment!!

He belonged to the Farmington J-C's where he held office of President and was quite active in putting on the Minstrel Shows. He was a member of the Farmington Elks Lodge and on their Mini-Bike Drill Team. He also belonged to the Moose Lodge, American Legion and VFW. He and Irene loved to visit these establishments where he would give her a spin around the dance floor.

Over the years of his life, he made over 50 photo albums, slides and movies for all of us to keep our wonderful memories with him alive.

Preceded in Death by Mother, Martha Mae (Miller) West; Father, Henry West: and Granddaughter, Jacqueline Anne Hacker.

Survived by Loving Wife, Irene M. (Schweizer) West, 91, Two Daughters, Julia (Roy) Hacker of Alden, Cynthia (Joseph) Sitko of Alden. Grandchildren: Roy (Karla) Hacker II of Northville, Marlene (Larry) Luttrell of Westland, Brandi Marks and Chad Marks of Traverse City, Michelle Sitko of Alden, Josh (Anika) Sitko of St. Mary's, GA.

Memorial Service with Honor Guard September 3, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at 10420 N. Lake Street, Alden. The service will be officiated by Irene's brother and Minister, Allen Schweizer. The ceremony will be held outside in the front yard, overlooking Torch Lake at Ed and Irene's home. Contact #231-357-1688 Cynthia Sitko or 231-331-6022 Julie Hacker.

Memorial Contributions made to the West Family. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 293, Alden, MI 49612