Wesley Rein Zylstra, age 86, died at his home in Summer Hill Assisted Living Center, Oak Harbor on January 27, 2009.
He was born in Oak Harbor on September 25, 1922 to Rein and Viola (Bangs) Zylstra.
Wes worked for NAS Whidbey 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 WWII, 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 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 eighteen years. He also worked for many years at Whidbey Furniture Store.
Wes was married to Dorothy M. "Dottie" Meeter on January 11, 1947 and they repeated their vows at St. Joseph of Cupertino Catholic Church, NAS Whidbey on August 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 thirty-three years. Wes was a very committed member of St. Augustine's Catholic Church. He taught sixth grade CCD classes for thirteen years and Junior and Senior High for twelve years. He was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus, John E. O'Brien Council #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, Washington; Lana Kemppainen of Brier, Washington, Bonnie Wescott of Kennewick, Washington and Warren Berry of Brooklyn, New York.
Rosary will be recited at St. Augustine's Catholic Church on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 7:00pm.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine's Church at 10:00am Saturday, January 31, 2009 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, Washington.
He was born in Oak Harbor on September 25, 1922 to Rein and Viola (Bangs) Zylstra.
Wes worked for NAS Whidbey 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 WWII, 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 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 eighteen years. He also worked for many years at Whidbey Furniture Store.
Wes was married to Dorothy M. "Dottie" Meeter on January 11, 1947 and they repeated their vows at St. Joseph of Cupertino Catholic Church, NAS Whidbey on August 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 thirty-three years. Wes was a very committed member of St. Augustine's Catholic Church. He taught sixth grade CCD classes for thirteen years and Junior and Senior High for twelve years. He was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus, John E. O'Brien Council #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, Washington; Lana Kemppainen of Brier, Washington, Bonnie Wescott of Kennewick, Washington and Warren Berry of Brooklyn, New York.
Rosary will be recited at St. Augustine's Catholic Church on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 7:00pm.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine's Church at 10:00am Saturday, January 31, 2009 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, Washington.
Wesley Rein Zylstra, age 86, died at his home in Summer Hill Assisted Living Center, Oak Harbor on January 27, 2009.
He was born in Oak Harbor on September 25, 1922 to Rein and Viola (Bangs) Zylstra.
Wes worked for NAS Whidbey 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 WWII, 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 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 eighteen years. He also worked for many years at Whidbey Furniture Store.
Wes was married to Dorothy M. "Dottie" Meeter on January 11, 1947 and they repeated their vows at St. Joseph of Cupertino Catholic Church, NAS Whidbey on August 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 thirty-three years. Wes was a very committed member of St. Augustine's Catholic Church. He taught sixth grade CCD classes for thirteen years and Junior and Senior High for twelve years. He was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus, John E. O'Brien Council #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, Washington; Lana Kemppainen of Brier, Washington, Bonnie Wescott of Kennewick, Washington and Warren Berry of Brooklyn, New York.
Rosary will be recited at St. Augustine's Catholic Church on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 7:00pm.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine's Church at 10:00am Saturday, January 31, 2009 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, Washington.
He was born in Oak Harbor on September 25, 1922 to Rein and Viola (Bangs) Zylstra.
Wes worked for NAS Whidbey 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 WWII, 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 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 eighteen years. He also worked for many years at Whidbey Furniture Store.
Wes was married to Dorothy M. "Dottie" Meeter on January 11, 1947 and they repeated their vows at St. Joseph of Cupertino Catholic Church, NAS Whidbey on August 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 thirty-three years. Wes was a very committed member of St. Augustine's Catholic Church. He taught sixth grade CCD classes for thirteen years and Junior and Senior High for twelve years. He was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus, John E. O'Brien Council #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, Washington; Lana Kemppainen of Brier, Washington, Bonnie Wescott of Kennewick, Washington and Warren Berry of Brooklyn, New York.
Rosary will be recited at St. Augustine's Catholic Church on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 7:00pm.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine's Church at 10:00am Saturday, January 31, 2009 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, Washington.
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