Thomas Stephen Westell, Sr.

Thomas Stephen Westell, Sr., 81, of Greenwood, passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2023.  He was born on December 13, 1941, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the late Casey E. and Harriet M. (Pekarski) Westell.  Tom married Elaine (Goetzinger) Westell, on October 22, 1966, in St. Roch Catholic Church. 

Tom was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School, class of 1960.  He served in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1964 and during the Bay of Pigs, was on the tarmac for hours awaiting orders. While serving in the Navy, Tom was on flights that broke the sound barrier twice. 

Tom retired from Eli Lilly & Company at the age of 53 after 29 years of employment.  While at Lilly, Tom was co-owner of AOK Carwash in Greenwood.  After Lilly, he worked for Amerifab, Inc., was the co-owner of Westek Industrial Paint and worked for PPG Paint.  In his retirement he was most proud to work for and with his sons, Kenny and Jeff, at Katalyst Corp. He had a long and successful career. 

Tom was a member of the Msgr. James M. Downey Council 3660 Knights of Columbus and a fourth-degree member of the Bishop Chatard Assembly #245.  He liked to play golf, bowl and garden; he loved his flowers.  Tom was a jokester and never met a stranger, he could talk to anyone.  He was a ranger for Hickory Stick Golf Course and volunteered for Hunger Inc. Food Pantry.

Tom was a charter member of St. Barnabas Catholic Church, where he served on the parish council, was a Eucharistic Minister and even helped lay the cornerstone of the church.  He had a full and complete life and will be truly missed by his loving family and many friends. 

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Elaine J. Westell; children, Thomas S. Jr., Kenneth M. (Valerie), Steven C. (Donna), Elaine M “Babe” and Jeffrey A. (Katy); sisters, Monica Barry and Maxine Solgot; grandchildren, Tyler, Megan, Casslyn, Collin, Caleigh, Carissa, Makayla, Makenzie, Jett, Summer and Brooklyn; great-grandchildren, Aaliyah, Levi, Brecken and Keaton; and many nieces and nephews. 

Family and friends will gather on Sunday, December 10 from 2 to 6 p.m. in Lauck & Veldhof Funeral & Cremation Services, 1458 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 11 at 11 a.m. in St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 8300 Rahke Road, Indianapolis, with visitation at the church starting at 10 a.m. until the time of Mass.  Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorial contributions have been suggested to St. Barnabas Catholic Church or Hunger, Inc.  Envelopes will be provided by the funeral home.  

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