Mitchell H. Westerfield

Mitchell H. (Mitch) Westerfield, 54, died unexpectedly at home on December 6, 2014. He was born May 21, 1960 in Davenport, IA to Gerald and Donna (Oaks) Westerfield. The youngest of six children born in nine years, Mitch remained forever the center of intense attention and affection by his brother and four sisters.

He graduated from Castle High School, Newburgh, IN in 1978. He served honorably in the United States Air Force and settled in Fort Wayne after his discharge. He was a member of American Legion Post 296. Employed by IPFW, he will also be remembered fondly by many as the outgoing, friendly, karaoke-singing bartender that enriched the lives of those he met.

Mitch relished Tuesday lunches with family and friends at a favorite restaurant, The Oyster Bar. He loved inventing special dishes, which he photographed weekly to entice Facebook friends. Mitch loved all animals and featured touching videos about them on Facebook almost daily.

Most of all, he cherished time spent with his Father, G.P. They were golf partners and shared many special meals together, along with fishing trips.

A loving son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend, Mitch is much loved and deeply missed. Mitch was preceded in death by his Mother in 2002. In addition to his father, Mitch is survived by sisters-Lane Westerfield (Fort Wayne, IN), Tracy (Tom) Phelps (Chandler, AZ), Laurie (Bill) Fisher (Gilbert, AZ), Emily (Richard Hambrock) Blackman (Fort Wayne, IN), and brother, Martin Westerfield (Columbus, IN). He is also survived by nephews Andy Westerfield (Fort Wayne, IN), Shawn Phelps (San Diego, CA), Joe (Megan) Utterback (Fort Wayne, IN), Matthew Westerfield (Greenwood, IN), Joel Fisher (Gilbert, AZ), and niece Katie (Hunter) Abbey (Springfield, MO), as well as six great nephews and great nieces, Tyler, Colin, Cameron, Marin, Rowen, and Greer.

Visitation will be Sunday, December 14, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Home for Funerals, 6810 Old Trail Road, Fort Wayne 46809. A private funeral service will be held on Monday. Mitch will be cremated and interred in a private ceremony at Lindenwood Cemetery at a later date.

Preferred memorials are to Animal Care and Control, a local not-for-profit for which Mitch volunteered many years, or any other animal care organization.