Jacqueline Jeanne Westlake
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Mrs. Jacqueline J. "Jackie" Westlake, 92, of White Pigeon, passed away of natural causes at her home on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. She was born on Aug. 5, 1929 in Elkhart, IN to the late Burr E. and Rose Marie (Reiner) Nelson and later married Harvey N. Westlake, who preceded her in death in1999.
Surviving is a daughter, Cathy Smith of White Pigeon; brother Thomas Nelson of Edwardsburg; sisters Rosemary Miller of Union, Sharon Stacker of Goshen, IN and Deann (Jerry) Hoyt of Jones; four grandchildren including Heather (Jack Culbertson) Tacy of White Pigeon (who was Jackie's primary caregiver), eight great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren, as well as a huge host of loving extended family, friends and one tiny rat terrier with a huge heart named Pork Chop. A daughter, Cynthia Cramer, and grandchildren Bryan Banghart, Michael Cramer and Gary Cramer precede Jackie in death
Jackie's Celebration of Life services will begin with a viewing from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart, IN. A funeral service will follow on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 at 11:00 am, with visitation beginning at 10 am. Pastor Steve Steele of the Kessington Community Church will officiate and burial will follow at Chapel Hill memorial Garden in Osceola, Indiana.
Jackie was an unstoppable forced that lived life on her own terms for 92 consecutive years. Her "occupation" had her in the offices of Whitehall Laboratories for over 30 years, but along with that, she owned and operated Westlake Hardware and H & J's Tavern with her husband, Harvey, managed a mobile home park, raised a family, was a polio survivor, was an avid fisherperson, loved to bowl, play cards and dominoes, hosted foreign exchange students, founded a widow's support group, sang in a church choir, was a prolific reader and cooked the best fried chicken this side of the Mississippi River.
All in all, Jackie was an amazing person. Industrious and enterprising, she will be best remembered for her ability to embrace and enjoy hard work and all of the good that came from her labors. "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Memorial donations may be given to the charity of one's choice. Friends and relatives are encouraged to read the entire obit and leave condolences and memories of Jacqueline by clicking "Tribute Wall" on her obituary page on the funeral home's website.