Rev. Howard W. West

The Rev. Howard W. West , age 84, Wichita, Kansas, died on Monday, February 1, 2010 at the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita where he was a patient for one week.

Born in Deerfield, Kansas on February 22, 1925, he was a son of the late Franklin G. and Nellie (Barnes) West. He resided in Wichita since May, 2008 and previously lived in Caldwell, Kansas for 10 years.

Howard was a graduate of Garden City, Kansas, High School in 1943; Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas in 1948 and Iliff Seminary, Denver, Colorado in 1953.

He was a pastor in the United Methodist Church beginning at Minneola, Kansas in 1944 and was ordained as an Elder in 1953, serving Churches in Kansas until 1965. He was Director of Adult Education for the Nebraska Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska from 1965 to 1970. He served Churches in Colorado from 1970 to 1977 when he came to Pennsylvania serving Churches in the Central Pennsylvania Conference, including Benton and Waller, from 1977 to 1998 when he retired.

Music was always a part of his life and was also his hobby. In high school he participated in vocal music groups, was a soloist in operettas and played in the band. Throughout his life he sang, and played many instruments including the piano/keyboard, harmonica and guitar.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife, the former Rev. Sue Funk, in 1997; by a daughter, Mari Sue Crowley; and a brother Madison West.

Surviving are his wife, the former Gweneth McDonald Reeder, whom he married on January 1, 1998; four daughters: Gweneth West and Jolene West Webb, both of Charlottesville, Virginia; Lori, wife of John Vernon, Slatington; Rebekah, wife of Brad Howe, Danville; a step daughter, Kay, wife of Kurt Denton, Kansas; 12 grandchildren, including DeAnne, wife of Nick Bergstrom, Benton, who was raised by the Wests; 5 great grandchildren; two brothers: Kenneth West and Duane West, and his wife Orvileta, and a sister, Janice, wife of Dennis Trayer, all of Kansas; and his former wife, Helen Counsell, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010, at 2 p. m. in Trinity United Methodist Church, 306 Lombard Avenue, Danville, with Rev. Dennis W. Derr, pastor of the Church officiating. Interment will be next to his late wife Sue in New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy.

Friends may call at the Church on Thursday from 1-2 p. m.

The family will provide flowers. Memorials may be sent to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market Street, Wichita, KS 67202-3805 or to the Caldwell United Methodist Church for Camp Horizon, 110 West Central, Caldwell, KS 67022.