Myrtle Lorenia West

Myrtle Lorenia Hamby West, passed away at the age of 101, on Friday, July 25th, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois. She was born in East Saint Louis, Illinois, on May 29th, 1924, to Clarence N. Hamby and Anna K. Hamby (nee King).

During her life, she worked at Sherwin-Williams, Belleville, and as an Accounting Technician at HQ MAC/ACIA at Scott Air Force Base, retiring after 22 years of service in 1984.

After retiring, she went on to serve as a member of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was elected as Auxiliary President in 1996. For 17 years she taught 5th and 6th grade Sunday School at Union United Methodist Church, Belleville, receiving the Joy Wells Christian Education Award in 1996 from the Southern Illinois Conference. She was a lifelong member of Union United Methodist Church and belonged to the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

She loved collecting turtles, angels, and spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In early years she enjoyed camping at Lake Norfork, Arkansas and going to Ak-Sar-Ben Resort at Lake of the Ozarks. What she enjoyed most was serving as a member of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Milburn J. West; parents: Clarence N. Hamby and Anna K Hamby (nee King); brothers: Paul G. (Dorothy), Thomas H. (Nancy) Hamby, and Dr. William M. (Margaret); sisters: Sally P. (Tom) Wagner, and Joan K. Hamby.

She is survived by one sister, Doris Jane Cueva of Ohio; two sons: Clarence “Joel” (Deborah) West of Granite City, Il, and Gary John (Joy) West of Lake Catatoga, IL: six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be from 9am to 12pm on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Union United Methodist Church located at 721 E Main St, Belleville, IL 62220.

Funeral service will follow at 12 pm with Pastor Edward Weston officiating.

Burial will be followed by the service at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL.

Contributions in Myrtle’s memory may be made to Union United Methodist Church in Belleville, IL building fund or Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.