Elmer Howard West Jr.

Elmer Howard West, Jr. passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the age of 98. He was also known as E. Howard, Howard, E.H., Basha and Daddy to his friends and family. E.H. was born to parents Olive May (Hanley) West and Elmer Howard West on July 15, 1926, in Homestead, PA. Elmer grew up an only child and graduated from Homestead High School, then married his high school sweetheart, Margaret E. (Peggy) Adelsperger in 1945. He served as an airplane and engine mechanic with the 234th Army Air Force Base Unit during World War II.

Howard was a devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather whose entrepreneurial spirit, determination and zest for knowledge seemed boundless. A private pilot beginning 1957 (the family had an airplane before they had a second car), he loved flying, as he graduated from a Stinson to a Navion to Beech Bonanzas to Cessna 310s and lastly to a Cessna 411. As a team, Howard and Peggy loved flying family and friends throughout North America as well as boating, having navigated the Gulf of Mexico and explored the inter-coastal waterway from Florida to North Carolina. When Elmer and Peggy were first married and they couldn’t afford to buy a home, he built one (with no prior building experience), and that home still stands today! He founded West Buick Cadillac in Bradford, PA and Kars n Deals franchise in Jamestown, NY. He sold waterfront real estate in the Carolinas, was a small business consultant who brokered multiple multi-million-dollar deals in Pennsylvania, then took up painting in retirement. His landscape, seascape, and animal paintings are lovingly displayed in the homes of family and friends. Perhaps the only goal E.H. did not achieve was living to 100, when he planned to renew his driver’s license. Luckily, for his family, fellow drivers and pedestrians, he gave up driving when he was 97.

Elmer was predeceased in death by his high school sweetheart and wife Peggy of 74 years in 2019. E. Howard West is survived by his daughters, Karen West (Jim Sennott) of Sarasota, Florida and Susan West (Dave) Engelkemeyer of Hull, Massachusetts and Bradenton, FL.. He is also survived by four grandchildren, and seven great children, including grandchildren Brad Nelson of Sarasota, FL, Keith (Ann) Nelson of Chandler, AZ and Indian Rocks Beach, FL, Kristen Engelkemeyer (Brad) Chalifoux of Hull, MA, and Jason (Erin) Engelkemeyer of Marshfield, MA. Great grandchildren include Michaela Nelson, Savannah Nelson, Ashley Nelson, Grace Engelkemeyer, JJ Engelkemeyer, Liam Chalifoux and Adalyn Chalifoux.

A celebration of life is planned at a later date with family when his cremated remains will be buried with Peggy in Cape Coral, Florida. The family declines flowers. Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, Philanthropy Department, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34238 or to the Alzheimer’s Association.