Vernon William Westover, 80, of Niverville took his place in heaven Monday, May 23, following a brief battle with heart and lung issues. Born October 22, 1935, in Austerlitz, NY, he was the son of the late Jesse and Carrie Rowe Westover.

A 31-year career employee of Blue Seal Feeds in Chatham, Vernon was a kind, gentle soul whose greatest joy was the young people in his life. Prior to starting at Blue Seal Feeds, Vern worked for A&P, Archer's Market, Canada Dry, and was a manager at the Columbia-Greene 7-UP bottling company.  Vern also worked several part-time jobs in retirement, but especially enjoyed working as a rural mail carrier for the Chatham and East Chatham Post Offices and making deliveries for Chatham Flowers.

Vern was an avid bowler who was a member of many leagues and that is how he met his wife Wilma.  He took great pride in attending his children's sporting and school events and was a dedicated Little League and Babe Ruth coach.  In recent years he spent countless hours at his grandchildren's sporting events, concerts, theater shows, and other activities and looked forward to doing the same for his great grandchildren.  Vern enjoyed traveling, especially the trips he took with and to see family.

Vern and Wilma also maintained a residence in Barefoot Bay, FL, where for four months each year they escaped the harsh Northeast winters.  Vern counted down the days until Spring Training began each year and attended as many games as he could until it was time to come home and enjoy the grandchildren's spring activities and the Mac-Haydn Theatre.

Vern graduated from Chatham Central High School in 1953 and is a charter member of that school's alumni association.  He was a life member and served on the Church Council of Christ our Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Chatham.  He was also a member of the Kinderhook Lake Association.  He was a passionate sports fan who particularly loved the New York Mets, New York Giants and NASCAR racing. His favorite driver was Jeff Gordon.

In addition to his wife of 49 years Wilma (Dalzell), Vern is survived by his sister Barbara DeLee of Easton, MD; his daughters Kim Cardillo (John) of Colonie, Kelly Berger (Michael Coons) of Chatham and Gail Westover (Stephen Keller) of Crofton, MD; his son Craig (Kim Hugo) of East Chatham; his grandchildren, Justin (Heather) and Kerri Mattison, James Cardillo, Jessie Goodrich, Emily and Allison Westover, and Caitlin, Caroline and Cameron Keller; and his three great-grandchildren, Gage, Elena and Lily Mattison, due to arrive on May 27. Vern also had several nieces and nephews in Arizona, Maryland, New York and New Hampshire.  He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Shirley Foster.

Visitation hours will be held from 7-9 p.m. Thursday and 10-11 a.m. Friday at Wenk Funeral Home, 21 Payn Ave. in Chatham. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with interment at Chatham Rural Cemetery to follow. Donations in Vern's memory may be made to a charity of choice. For On-Line condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com