John Leroy Westenhaver Jr., of Menifee, CA. passed away on December 28, 2018. John was born to the late John and Rosalie Westenhaver in Pittsburg, PA on June 21, 1923. Later, the family moved LaGrange, Illinois, where he graduated from Fenwick High School and attended one year of college before enlisting in the Army. He served in the South Pacific Theater with the 777th Air Corp as an air traffic controller rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant before mustering out at the end of WWII. John went back to the University of Illinois earning his degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, John met and married Patricia Louise Burford. During their long marriage, while working for Hughes Aircraft for 37 years, they moved from Newburgh NY, Woodland Hills CA, Tucson AZ then back to California.
After his retirement, John enjoyed woodworking and coin and stamp collecting. He was also very active in the church being an usher and putting to good use his woodworking skills building things for the church and their school.
His wit and guidance will be sorely missed. John touched many lives and had a profound lasting effect on those who knew him. He is survived by his wife Patricia of 67 years, their three children son Larry Westenhaver of Tucson, AZ, son Micheal Westenhaver of Phoenix, AZ and daughter Karen Urdiales of Menifee, CA, his sister MaryLou Whitman of Maui, HI. He has five grandchildren and four great grandchildren (with one on the way).
Funeral services will be held January 8th 11:00am at St. John Fisher Catholic Church, 5448 Crest Rd. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
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