Gene Westling

Gene A. Westling, 85, died peacefully on December 7, 2014 at his Seaview residence. The son of Arthur and Alta (Pace) Westling, Gene was born June 26, 1929 in Ethel, Washington. He grew up in nearby Centralia, Washington where he was a 1948 graduate of Centralia High School. Gene served his country during the Korean Conflict as a member of the United States Air Force, serving from October 1950 until October 1954. Settling in Vancouver, Gene proudly was employed as a longshoreman for over 37 years working out of Local #4 of the ILWU. Having owned property on the Peninsula since 1992, Gene retired permanently here in 2000. He was a member of The Peninsula Church of the Nazarene where he served as board member and treasurer for a number of years. Gene was seemingly always busy with yet another project, building things for family and others. His family always came first, followed by his church and faith. In past years he enjoyed traveling in his RV throughout the US and Canada. Gene married Corliss Hollandsworth on February 25, 1985 in Vancouver. She survives residing at the family home in Seaview. Also surviving are his son Richard Westling and wife Terry; daughter Martha Garrison; step-daughters (whom he always called his own) Leslie Robison, Lisa (Alex) and husband Vince Rizzo; grandchildren Robbie, Jamie, Tommy, Jennefer, Kayla, Gene, Tiffany and Sean; 8 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his step-son Bryan Hollandsworth. Memorial service will be Friday, January 23, 2015, 1:00 PM at the Peninsula Nazarene Church, N. 13th and Pacific in Long Beach. The family requests memorials to the Pantry and/or Building Fund(s) at Peninsula Nazarene Church in care of Penttila's Chapel. PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. His guestook is available online at www.penttilaschapel.com.