David Westerman Jr.

David E. Westerman Jr., 66, of La Salle passed away at 1:04 p.m. Oct. 11, 2019, in St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, surrounded by his family.

A memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Patrick’s Church, La Salle with the Rev. J.A. Small of St. Joseph’s Church in Peru and the Rev. Tom Otto of La Salle Catholic Parishes concelebrating.

Visit-ation will be 4-7 p.m. Sunday in Ptak Funeral Home, Peru. Burial will be at St. Vincent’s Cemetery in La Salle following the memorial Mass. Cremation rites have been accorded.

David was born Sept. 9, 1953, to David (deceased) and Beverly (Betts) Westerman at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Md. His grandparents were John and Ila Westerman of Mendota and Harley and Henrietta Betts of Strawberry Point, Iowa (all deceased). David was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Mendota. He began school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and graduated from high school in Wisconsin. David graduated Illinois Valley Community College with his associate’s degree and shortly after began work in the printing business where he worked for a number of years.

David’s passion in life was music. He was a talented and well-known pianist in the Illinois Valley and played in many bands throughout his lifetime. Say Uncle, Little Uncle, Blind Dates, Ric Soens Band, 4 out of 5 Doctors and Y. Scat to name a few of the bands. David played music with a passion that made watching him a genuine and unique experience. He especially loved playing music alongside his brother Stephen and did so even during his illness.

David married Sarah Kostellic of La Salle in August of 1984.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah; one son, Matthew (Krista) Westerman of La Salle; two daughters, Kristen Westerman of Peru and Emily (Emma) Westerman of La Salle; his brother, Stephen (Gerilyn Hocking) Westerman of La Salle with whom he lived with the past six months under the loving care of Stephen and Gerilyn; one nephew, Michael Westerman of La Salle; and his five grandchildren, Antonio C., Zach and Marly Escatel; Rhyan and Alyson Westerman.

And that’s “What it IS,” Peace.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like the memorials to be directed to Illinois Valley Pads P.O. Box 1012, La Salle, IL 61301.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.PtakFH.com.