Laverle H. Westerman, 96, of Evans City passed away peacefully Tuesday morning at St. John's LAS, Mars.

Born on March 19, 1918, in Evans City, he was the son of the late Phillip and Grace Rider Westerman.

He was a member of the St. John's United Church of Christ of Evans City.

He graduated from Evans City High School in 1936.

He retired from L.T.V. Steel as a ladle crane operator with more than 30 years.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He flew missions from Iwo Jima and Siapan. He was stationed on Iwo Jima when World War II ended. His main mission was a radio operator during the war on the B-17 Bombers and a tail gunner. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars, and the Air Medal.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 219 for 70 years.

After retirement, he enjoyed fishing and reading.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Waldron Westerman, on Jan. 1, 1969; his stepgrandson; his sister; and his five brothers.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly “Betty” M. Walker Stach Westerman, who he married on Oct. 3, 1970; his daughter, Patricia Thomas of Warren; his two stepsons, Dennis (Blanche) Stach of Slippery Rock and Alfred (Nancy) Stach of Evans City; his stepdaughter, Beverly (Troy) Barkley of Evans City; his brother, Loyal (Genevieve) Westerman of Evans City; his brother-in-law, Roland Meeder of Cranberry Township; his two grandsons, Kevin (Faith) and Marc (Jodie) Thomas; his stepgranddaughter, Marilee (Zac) Bender; his four great-grandsons, Nicholas, Alex, Michael and Paul Thomas; his two stepgrandsons, Scott (Tara) Barkley and Dwayne Stach; and his nieces and nephews.

Westerman — The friends and relatives of Laverle H. Westerman, who passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2014, will be received from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Kinsey-Volz Funeral Home, 328 W. Main St., Evans City.Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will take place at Butler County Memorial Park.The family has suggested memorial donations be made to a veterans affiliated service.Additional information is available at www.kinsey-volzfuneralhome.com.