LA SALLE - David Elmer Westerman, Jr., 66, of LaSalle passed away Oct. 11, 2019 at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria surrounded by his family.

A memorial Mass will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 21 at St. Patrick’s Church, LaSalle with Fr. J.A. Small of St. Joseph’s Church, Peru and Fr. Tom Otto of LaSalle Catholic Parishes concelebrating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the Ptak Funeral Home, 1026 4th St., Peru. Burial will be at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, LaSalle following the Mass. Cremation rites have been accorded.

David was born Sept. 9, 1953 at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md. to David and Beverly (Betts) Westerman. He married Sarah Kostellic of LaSalle in August 1984. 

Survivors include his wife; one son, Matthew (Krista) Westerman of LaSalle; two daughters, Kristen Westerman of Peru and Emily (Emma) Westerman of LaSalle; one brother, Stephen (Gerilyn Hocking) Westerman of LaSalle with whom he lived with the past six months under the loving care of Stephen and Gerilyn; one nephew, Michael Westerman of LaSalle; and five grandchildren, Antonio C., Zach and Marly Escatel and Rhyan and Alyson Westerman.

He was preceded in death by his father and his grandparents, John and Ila Westerman of Mendota and Harley and Henrietta Betts of Strawberry Point, Iowa.

David was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Mendota. He began school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and graduated from high school in Wisconsin. He graduated from IVCC with an Associate’s degree and shortly after began work in the printing business where he worked for a number of years. His passion in life was music. He was a talented and well-known pianist in the Illinois Valley and played in many bands throughout his lifetime including “Say Uncle,” “Little Uncle,” “Blind Dates,” “Ric Soens Band,” “4 out of 5 Doctors” and “Y. Scat” to name a few. He played music with a passion that made watching him a genuine and unique experience. He especially loved playing music alongside his brother, Stephen and did so even during his illness. And that’s “What it IS” Peace.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Illinois Valley Pads, P.O. Box 1012, LaSalle, IL 61301.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.PtakFH.com.