Max West

Max Hemphill West, age 84 of Omaha, IL died peacefully Tuesday morning January 29, 2008 at his home where he was also born. He is survived by Aileen, his wife of 53 years, three sons, and one daughter, Dennis and Lynn West of Omaha, IL; David and Tiffanie West of Bourbonnais, IL; Dean and Trudy West of Harrisburg, IL; and Donna and Dale Allen of Carlyle, IL; eight grandchildren, Denise, Adam, Jason, and Phillip West, and Lorena, Julie, Dale, and Michelle Allen. Also surviving are two brothers and one sister, Ivan West of Belknap, IL, Harold (Imogene) West of Omaha, IL, and Carolyn (Curtis) Bradley of Ridgway, IL. Preceding him in death are two brothers, Don West and George West and two grandchildren, Benjamin and Ryan West. West was born February 19, 1923, son to Elmus and Teresa West of Omaha. He farmed and raised Angus cattle for over 70 years. In 2001, West received the Outstanding Seedstock Producer Award by the Illinois Beef Association. In 1999, he and Aileen were named Conservation Farm Family of the Year by the Gallatin County Soil and Water Conservation District. He was the founder of the Gallatin-White Water District; one of the founding members of the Wabash Valley Angus Association; and member and former board member of the Gallatin County Farm Bureau. He attended the Cottonwood Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In addition to Aileen and his family, some of his greatest joys in life were his Angus cows and wishing his friends a Happy Birthday. Visitation will be Thursday, January 31, 2008, at Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway, IL from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Friday morning, February 1, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at Vickery Chapel in Ridgway. Burial will follow at Palestine #2 Cemetery in Omaha, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cottonwood Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Internet condolences may be made to www.vickeryfuneralchapel.com.