LEVERN E. WESTERLUND, age 85, of Hebron and formerly of Lake Station, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2012. He was born in Carrington, ND on August 29, 1926 to Ralph and Rose Westerlund. Levern was a veteran of the Navy and Army. He retired from the 84" Slab Yard at US Steel as a crane operator after many years of service. Vern married Kathleen Kissane-Reed on December 31, 1959. He was an avid gardener and gifted carpenter with helping hands for everyone. He was a member of Hebron United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his sons, William L. (Vicki) Reed and Michael R. (Kathleen) Haburjak; 2 daughters, Lois C. Price and Bernadine Reed-Anderson; 11 grandchildren, Michelle (Rodney) Foster, Sarah (Eric) Detlef, James (Deanie) Price, Edgar Price, Kathy Haburjak, Michael Haburjak, Janet (James) Carter , James (Pam) Haburjak, Timothy Reed, Jeremy Reed, Jamie Shaner; 14 great grandchildren; numerous great great grandchildren; 1 great great great granddaughter; numerous nieces and nephews; special friends, Harold and Jeanette Pendowski.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 45 years, Kathleen; his parents; brothers, Rayburn and Kenneth Westerlund; sister, Eunice Sullivan.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Country Pantry, Hebron Methodist Church, PO Box 96, Hebron, IN.

A funeral service for Vern will be Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 12 Noon at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd., Hobart with Rev. Glenn Rankin officiating. Visitation will also be Thursday, July 19, 2012 from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at Noon. Please call (219) 942-2109 or online at reesfuneralhomes.com