Michael "Mike" Joseph West

Born July 15, 1946 in Pekin to Robert Harris and Virginia Mae (Gordon) West, he married Sharon Lee Smathers on July 20, 1968 in Pekin. They celebrated 53 years of marriage this year.

Surviving are his wife, Sharon; two sons, Tony (Sandra) West of Pekin and Jason (Christina) West of Normal; one daughter, Kara (Aaron) Stiles of Pekin; seven grandchildren, Aubri Doster, Michael West, Kaeli West, Gabrielle Stiles, Dominic West, Madeline West, and Noah Stiles; two great-grandchildren, Landon West and Danaka Doster; two brothers, Jim (Robin) West of South Pekin and Scott West of Colorado; one sister, Regina Brantley of Arkansas; and his brother-in-law, William “Bill” Smathers of Jupiter, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Troy West; four brothers, Ed West, Paul West, Randy West, and Fred West; and one sister, Cheryl Leonard.

He was a 1964 graduate of Pekin Community High School. In his youth, he was given the nickname of “Iron Mike”, for his strength and endurance.

Mike proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the AMVETS.

Mike worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 37 years, retiring in 2003 as a machinist in East Peoria. Following his retirement, he worked for G & D in Morton as a shipping and receiving clerk and later at the Sam Leman Dealership in Morton as a driver. He was proud to share his work ethic with his children.

He was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Bradley Basketball, the Rolling Stones, and NASCAR, where he followed both Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. He was an avid reader.

Mike will be remembered for his humble, mild manner, and easygoing nature. He often stated that his greatest accomplishment in life was his family and he was proud to be a father and grandfather.

His memorial visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. There will be no service. Inurnment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America, 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Springs, Maryland 20910.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com