Earnest Cecil West

Earnest Cecil “Earnie” West, 79, of DeWitt, Iowa, died Monday, August 3, 2015, at Westwing Place, DeWitt, following a brief illness due to a brain tumor.

Earnie was born May 28, 1936, to Walter and Neoma (Warner) West in Kirksville, Missouri. He was married to Kay Hanson, they later divorced. Earnie married Rita Grimm on July 12, 1964, at the United Methodist Church in DeWitt. Earnie worked for John Deere for 30 years, retiring in 1994.

Earnie was a member and past president of the Clinton County Society Horse Shows Association. He was also a member of the Ox Bow Company and Pony Express Riders of Iowa.  Earnie, a.k.a. “the Cotton-Picker,” worked as a horseshoer for over 30 years and enjoyed his time driving the “odd couple” on wagon trains. He was very proud to have earned his GED as an adult.  Earnie was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and loved spending time with his family.

Those left to honor his memory are his loving wife of 51 years, Rita; children, Pam Arey Toland of Colona, Illinois, Rhonda (Todd) Weimerskirk of Delmar, Brad (Chris) Zook and Jim (Sally) Zook both of Center Point; grandchildren, Andrew and Alex Zook, Josh and Hannah Arey, Brenna Toland, Trenton and Mason Weimerskirk, and several step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Minnie Hawkins, Dollie (Bill) Tade, Lorena (Martin Dale) Colvin, Thelma (Richard) Berry, and Helena Law; sisters-in-law, Nancy West, and Marcy Cherry; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Luther Arey; his parents; a sister, Maxine Clevenger; and brothers, Chuck, Everett, and Joe.

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2015, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2015, at the funeral home.  Pastor Andrew Happ of Delmar United Methodist Church will officiate. 

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and the Clinton County Society Horse Shows Association.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com