Wayne Burl Westerhold, 93, Nevada, MO, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. Wayne was born July 5, 1932, to Fred and Eula Westerhold. The youngest of eight children, he was affectionately nicknamed “Breeze” by his oldest brother, Oscar, after he wouldn’t stop talking as a child. “The 8” as they called themselves, grew up with very little during very hard times. They had very little to their names, other than an extremely strong sense of family and a very strong understanding of what it meant to work hard. After graduating from Metz High School in 1949, he was called to serve as an MP in the Korean Conflict from November 2, 1952, to October 19, 1954. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Metz where he got reacquainted with the love of his life. He married Peggy Ann Tourtillott on February 7, 1959, and they built one hell of a life. During their marriage, Peg and Breeze were blessed with three children. First came the twins, Tammy and Terry, and lastly their son, Denver. Their lives were filled with lots of love, lots of laughter, hard work and lots of family. They were blessed with six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Sadly, Peg left him way too early in 2004, but he continued to love her until his dying day. Loving her was one of the greatest gifts he gave his children.
In the early years of their marriage, for a brief time, they owned Westerhold Grocery and Hardware Store in Metz. He then worked at Metz Grain approximately 14 years, before farming full-time with his brothers and later with his son, Denver. He could fix anything and derived great joy in running livestock, working dirt and growing big corn crops.
Breeze wasn’t a man of many hobbies, other than hard work. But he was a man who believed in working hard and playing hard. In his younger years he enjoyed dancing, playing cards, quail hunting and going to the lake. He would often get up early and pull skiers behind his boat until he was tired enough that he needed to stop and take a nap on the picnic table. In his later years his free time was spent watching his grandkids, farming when he felt like it, collecting coins, and doing anything he could to solve family members’ problems or trying to make their lives easier. He was also never too busy to pass up a good visit, tell a story, or watch a John Wayne movie he’s already seen 100 times.
Breeze was preceded in death by his loving wife, Peggy Ann Westerhold, six of his beloved siblings, and one granddaughter, Kerry Duncan. He is survived by one sister, Lois McCormick of Butler; his three children, Tammy (Tim) Forkner of Richards, Terry (H.M.) Logan of Sheldon, and Denver (Jane) Westerhold of Metz; five grandchildren, Nathan (Ashley) Forkner of Richards, Christy (Phil) Witt of Ozark, Katlyn Logan of Monroe City, Megan Westerhold of Metz, and Michelle Westerhold of Metz; eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, love and family, and he will be greatly missed.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Greenlawn Cemetery in Rich Hill with Kerry Fowler officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.
Memorials are suggested in his name to Vernon County Youth Fair c/o Ferry Funeral Home.
