Frank
Frank Westphal
d. March 30, 2009
Frank Westphal, 86, of Oglesby, died Thursday afternoon, March 26, 2009 at Rockford Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at the Prey-Mueller Funeral Home in Oglesby with Rev. Marc Strand officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Elizabeth Cemetery in Elizabeth, IL. There will be an additional visitation from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth, IL. With a Masonic service at 2:15 p.m.
Mr. Westphal was born on October 17, 1922 in Elizabeth, IL to Julius Andre and Jenny Frances (Fraser) Westphal. He married Mary Nelson on January 22, 1950 in Burlington, Iowa. He received his bachelor degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and his master’s degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He had worked for the Savanna Ordinance Depot from 1944-1946. He had started Law School at Northwestern University but was forced end his law education after a car accident. He began traveling in Canada and the United States as a general manager of Young’s Amusement Company. He then became owner of Westphal Amusements, from 1946 to 1984. Today his son, Frank, Jr. continues to run that business. He began working for the State of Illinois in the Vocational Rehabilitation division in 1950, after being recruited by Adlai Stevenson, Sr. In 1951, he became a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, an organization that promotes ethical and state of the art practice in rehabilitation with the goal of the personal and economic independence of persons with disabilities. Receiving numerous awards, he was the Elkins Counselor of the year in 1967. He was employed for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as a counselor for more than 55 years. Throughout his career he helped thousands find jobs and inspired many others to persevere despite their physical limitations. Until recently, he was still attending seminars and sharing his expertise, and participating in fundraising events for local schools and church.
He is survived by four daughters, Yvonne “Robin” Fielder of Des Moines, IA, Michelle (Stan) Schneider of Pensacola, FL, Sandra Westphal of Peru and Theresa (Robert) Powell of Bull Shoals, ARK; one son, Frank (Ella) Westphal, Jr. of Oglesby; 29 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.
He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Granville, the Founder of the National Rehabilitation Association, Co-founder of the Illinois Vocational Rehabilitation Association, charter member of the National Rehabilitation Association, Charter member of the Illinois Rehabilitation Association, LaSalle County Historical Society, active in Democratic Party Politics.
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Westphal; one daughter, Sherry Olson, two sons, Nelson Westphal and Julius Westphal; and two brothers.
Memorials may be directed to the Illinois Valley Animal Rescue
Mr. Westphal was born on October 17, 1922 in Elizabeth, IL to Julius Andre and Jenny Frances (Fraser) Westphal. He married Mary Nelson on January 22, 1950 in Burlington, Iowa. He received his bachelor degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and his master’s degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He had worked for the Savanna Ordinance Depot from 1944-1946. He had started Law School at Northwestern University but was forced end his law education after a car accident. He began traveling in Canada and the United States as a general manager of Young’s Amusement Company. He then became owner of Westphal Amusements, from 1946 to 1984. Today his son, Frank, Jr. continues to run that business. He began working for the State of Illinois in the Vocational Rehabilitation division in 1950, after being recruited by Adlai Stevenson, Sr. In 1951, he became a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, an organization that promotes ethical and state of the art practice in rehabilitation with the goal of the personal and economic independence of persons with disabilities. Receiving numerous awards, he was the Elkins Counselor of the year in 1967. He was employed for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as a counselor for more than 55 years. Throughout his career he helped thousands find jobs and inspired many others to persevere despite their physical limitations. Until recently, he was still attending seminars and sharing his expertise, and participating in fundraising events for local schools and church.
He is survived by four daughters, Yvonne “Robin” Fielder of Des Moines, IA, Michelle (Stan) Schneider of Pensacola, FL, Sandra Westphal of Peru and Theresa (Robert) Powell of Bull Shoals, ARK; one son, Frank (Ella) Westphal, Jr. of Oglesby; 29 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.
He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Granville, the Founder of the National Rehabilitation Association, Co-founder of the Illinois Vocational Rehabilitation Association, charter member of the National Rehabilitation Association, Charter member of the Illinois Rehabilitation Association, LaSalle County Historical Society, active in Democratic Party Politics.
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Westphal; one daughter, Sherry Olson, two sons, Nelson Westphal and Julius Westphal; and two brothers.
Memorials may be directed to the Illinois Valley Animal Rescue
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