Milton Franklin Westphal was born to eternal life on Monday, February 11, 2013, at Oakridge Gardens Nursing Center in Menasha. He was born on February 17, 1926, to George and Meta (Borchert) Westphal in Neenah. Milt attended elementary school at Clayton Center, a rural one room school, and graduated from Neenah High School in 1944. After graduation Milt worked on his family's farm in rural Neenah until 1949 when he moved to his own farm located in the town of Clayton (also in Neenah). On June 4, 1949, he married Marjorie Gorr and they lived and farmed there for 46 years. In 1995 they moved to Neenah. Milt was a lifelong member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Clayton, where he was baptized, confirmed, married, and buried. Throughout the years he served in various church offices and sang in the choir. Besides farming, Milt was involved in the community having been Treasurer of the Winnebago County Farm Bureau, a member of the Clayton School Board, Clerk of the town of Clayton for 40 years, Vice-President of Homestead Mutual Insurance Co. for 30 years and served for 10 years on the Board of Review for the City of Neenah. In addition he volunteered at Theda Clark Medical Center CCU and at Park View Health Center in Oshkosh each for 20 years. Milt enjoyed being a member of the Neenah-Menasha YMCA Y Nots Chorus for a number of years. He enjoyed family gatherings and visiting with his many friends while playing cards and meeting with breakfast and lunch groups.
Milt is survived by Marge, his wife of 63 years; four children of whom he was very proud; Laurel (Michael) Birr, of Winchester; Nancy (Ralph) Johnson, of Madison; Mark (Sue) Westphal, of Neenah; and Melanie (Alan) Blechl, of Neenah; three beloved granddaughters, Season Westphal (Ben Dorow), Nikki Johnson, Alana Blechl; and a great-granddaughter, Mara Dorow, who always brought a smile to his face; sister-in-law, Joanne Sievert; cousin, Vivian Braun; and nieces and nephews.
Milt was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Vernon; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Ethel Gorr; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3703 Fairview Rd. Neenah, with Pastor Paul Meier officiating. Burial will be in the Clayton Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, February 15 AT THE CHURCH from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and will continue on Saturday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established for Immanuel Lutheran Church and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
Milt's family extends special thanks to Diane and Sherri from BrightStar and to the staff at Oakridge Gardens who cared for him and his family. He also greatly appreciated the support and well wishes from all of his friends.
"Be thou faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life." Rev. 2:10
Please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.