James Westmoreland, Jr

James M. Westmoreland, Jr. died peacefully at the age of 90 on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at the Gettysburg Lutheran Rehab Center, where he had been a patient since May 23, 2011. Since March 2010 Jim and his wife Mary were residents of the Gettysburg Lutheran Retirement Village and both were former residents of Sinking Spring. Jim was the beloved husband of Mary (Potteiger) Westmoreland. The couple recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on February 3, 2011. Jim was born on May 30, 1921 in DeBerry, Texas. He was the son of the late Ovie (Gaddis) and James M. Westmoreland, Sr. Jim was employed for 33 years in banking, starting as a teller for Berks County Trust Company and retiring from American Bank and Trust Company as an assistant vice president. During his banking career he attended classes at Bucknell University and the American Institute of Banking. He was the manager of the Lancaster Ave. branch of the corporation for many years until his retirement in 1983. He was a long time member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Sinking spring where he served on church council, taught Sunday School, member of church choir as well as the church financial officer for many years. In the community he was an active member of the Borough Council and served as Justice of the Peace. He was also past president of the Sinking Spring Senior Citizens Association. For 25 years he served as secretary of the Shillington Rotary club. Jim enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in January 1942 where he proudly served his country in the China/Burma/India theater of WWII for 4 years. During this time he earned the rank of Master Sergeant in the 14th Air Corp(Flying tigers) In addition to his wife he is survived by two daughters Debra K. Westmoreland, wife of John Ramirez of Plainfield, NJ and Lynn W. wife of David Petters of Gettysburg, PA. Also two grandsons Keith Petters and his wife Amanda Martin Petters, Virginia Beach, VA and Eric Petters of Mechanicburg, PA Other survivors include two sisters, Del Cole of Dayton, Texas and Bernie wife of Quint Schaffner of Conroe, Texas. A brother Ralph E. Westmoreland of Houston, Texas preceded him in death. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

In Lieu of contributions may be made to the Memorial fund of St. John's Lutheran Church at the above address or the Gettysburg Lutheran Retirement Village 1075 Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325 in memory of Mr. James M. Westmoreland, Jr