BANGOR and LARGO, FLA. – Donald J. Westling Sr., 81, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Bangor. Mr. Westling was born July 17, 1924, in Sherman, N.Y. He is survived by his wife of nine years, Hilda Wardwell of Bangor. He attended the First Baptist Church of Bangor and the Church of the Isles in Indian Rocks Beach, Fla. Having served in the 6th Infantry Division in the U.S. Army during World War II, Mr. Westling was awarded many medals for bravery, including the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in the Philippines. He graduated from Dunkirk, N.Y. High School in 1946 upon return from active duty. A 27-year employee of the U.S. post office, Mr. Westling rose to superintendent of mails and officer in charge in both the Dunkirk and Fredonia, N.Y. post offices and postmaster at the Silver Creek, N.Y. branch. His community contributions included past president of the American Legion Post 59 in Fredonia, past president of the Dunkirk Bowling Association, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and advisor for the St. Anthony’s Church Boy Scout Explorer Troop. An avid bowler, he once bowled 11 strikes in a row for a 297 game. Mr. Westling also was a golf enthusiast. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Josephine (Calanni) Westling; his sister, Margaret (Westling) Menshel of Gowanda, N.Y. Mr. Westling is survived by his son, Donald and Karen Westling; three daughters, Patricia and Robert Lefferts, Marcia Johnson and Susan Westling, all of Fredonia N.Y.; and stepchildren, Linda and Thomas Littlefield of York, Bruce and Bridgette Wardwell of Lucerne and John and Tammie Wardwell of Bangor. Surviving siblings include brothers, Carl Jr. and Delanor of Silver Creek, N.Y., Jerald and Dema of Summerville, S.C. and Richard and Vicki of Dunkirk, N.Y. Mr. Westling also is survived by 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Services will be held Saturday, in Fredonia, N.Y. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor.
DONALD J. WESTLING SR.
