Jim was an accomplished musician and composer who had his material recorded in the USA and Europe. He loved to share stories of his early days in music, including sharing coffee with Ike and Tina Turner at Technosonic Studios, and meeting his idol, Al Alberts of the Four Aces, in the 1950’s, and continued a close friendship with him, until Al’s passing in November 2009. Jim and Marilyn had been married for over 55 years and expressed their passion for history, food, and each other, by creating The Westerfield House in 1984. Visitors from across the country (and around the world) came to enjoy the experience of the bed & breakfast/restaurant until the Westerfield’s retirement in 2002. Also during the Westerfield House’s incredible run, Jim turned his extensive knowledge of botany into another amazing chapter of his life. He cross pollinated mints and created a “new child of nature” (as Jim so eloquently put it) called Dulcia Citreus, or better known as ‘Hillary’s Sweet Lemon Mint’, which he also held the patent on. The mint was delivered to then, First Lady Hillary Clinton, in 1993 and planted in the White House garden. At the time of Jim’s passing, he had created over 60 unique culinary mints. Jim was a gentle soul that touched many lives with his amazing knowledge, humor, and spirit; he will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter J. and Catherine, nee Fansher, Westerfield; and his seven siblings.
Surviving are his loving wife, Marilyn Westerfield, nee Jones, of Swansea, Ill.; his son, Larry (Shannon) Westerfield; grandchildren, Kurt (Jennifer) Westerfield, Brittany (Mike) Hornung, and Karissa Anderson; his great grandchildren, Keaton James, Madison, and Fiona; a sister-in-law, Charlotte; nieces, Julie and Lori; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Memorials are appreciated to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, November 24, 2013, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.
Funeral: Services will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, November 24, 2013, at the funeral home with Father Ray Schultz officiating. Entombment will be held privately in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois.
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