Obituary of Edward West

Dr.Edward West, 98, of State College, died Sunday, April 30, 2023, at his home in College Heights.

Born March 19, 1925, in State College, he was the son of the late John Malcolm and Olive Edghill West.

He married JoAnn Harpster West in 1949. He is survived by JoAnn and their three daughters: Linda Talone and her husband John of Collegeville; Terri Banack and her husband Leonard Banack Jr. of Essex, MD; and Laurie West-Jenkins and her husband Jeffrey of Julian; seven grandchildren, Russell Talone and his wife Kathryn; Corey Talone and his wife Laura; Angela Banack; Nicholas Banack and his wife Ashley; Leonard Banack III; Jessie and Mitchell Jenkins; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Bell, Polly Edghill, and Nancy Thompson.

In 1980 he married Barbara Struck Sill West, who preceded him in death in 2016. He is survived by five step-children: Marilyn Dean and her husband Donald; David Sill and his wife Kaye; Ken Sill; Peggy Travis and her husband Alan; and Elaine Pearson and her husband Ben; sixteen step-grandchildren; and twenty-six step-great-grandchildren.

Edward graduated from State College High School in 1943. He joined the United States Army Air Corp where he served as a navigator on a B-24 bomber in the European Theatre based in Italy. Upon his discharge from the military, he attended Penn State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949 and went on to Jefferson Medical College where he graduated in 1953.

Edward was a member of the Assembly of God Church. He was also a member of the 449th Bomb Group from WW II, he was an honorary member of the Alpha Fire Company, and a Lifetime supporter/member of the Penn State Wrestling Club, Quarterback Club, Nittany Lion Club, and Young Life. He performed physicals for the State College school bus drivers, Alpha Fire Company, State College Wrestling Team, and FAA Flight pilots. He also enjoyed gardening, sailing, skiing, biking, and watching local football and wrestling teams.

Memorial service will be at 4 p.m., on Friday, July 28, 2023 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College, with Celebrant Jackie Naginey Hook officiating. 

The family would like to thank Grane Hospice for their wonderful care and Sandy, Edward's devoted caretaker.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alpha Fire Company at alphafire.com, or the James E. Van Zandt VAMC Veteran Support Fund 1101, 2907 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.