hmtl5 Rolland George Westerbeck b. 25 Oct 1927 Melrose Park, Cook County, Illinois d. 22 Jun 2005 Grand Island, Hall County, Nebraska: McKeown Genealogy

Rolland George Westerbeck

Male 1927 - 2005  (77 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Rolland George Westerbeck 
    Born 25 Oct 1927  Melrose Park, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4
    Gender Male 
    Died 22 Jun 2005  Grand Island, Hall County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4
    Buried Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe, Furnas County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Person ID I1760  McKeown
    Last Modified 12 Feb 2023 

    Father John J. Westerbeck,   b. 10 Feb 1902, Gosper County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Dec 1967, Arapahoe, Furnas County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 65 years) 
    Mother Anna Leona McCollum,   b. 5 Apr 1905, Elwood, Gosper County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Dec 1995, Arapahoe, Furnas County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 90 years) 
    Married Nov 1922 
    Family ID F716  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Emma Jean Wheeler,   b. 26 May 1925, Hennepin County, Minnesota Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Nov 1995, Fremont, Dodge County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years) 
    Married 29 Nov 1947  Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 26 Feb 2022 
    Family ID F732  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 25 Oct 1927 - Melrose Park, Cook County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 29 Nov 1947 - Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 22 Jun 2005 - Grand Island, Hall County, Nebraska Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe, Furnas County, Nebraska Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Notes 
    • ARAPAHOE -- Rolland George Westerbeck, 77, died Wednesday (June 22, 2005), at the Grand Island Veterans Home in Grand Island.

      He was born Oct. 29, 1927, in Melrose Park, Ill., to John J. and Anna Leona (McCollum) Westerbeck.

      He spent his early years traveling around the United States while his father was a dirt contractor. He attended many different schools, including Arapahoe Public Schools.

      In 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and operated heavy equipment to build bridges, roads and air strips. He served in the Philippines, Japan, China and Pearl Harbor. He was discharged in 1947.

      Because he entered the Navy before graduating from high school, he received his high school diploma from Arapahoe Public Schools in 2000.

      After being discharged from the Navy, he worked for his father at Westerbeck Construction Co.

      On Nov. 29, 1947, he married Emma J. Wheeler in Lincoln. He continued being a heavy equipment operator, and was involved in helping build Harlan Dam at Alma, Swanson Dam at Trenton and Bonny Dam at Hale, Colo.

      From 1950 until 1967, he and his brother, Glenn, owned and operated the family business.

      From 1967 until 1982, he served as county engineer for Kearney and Sherman counties, as general superintendent for Werner Construction in Hastings and as superintendent for Paden Construction Co. in Fremont.

      From February 1982 until 1995, he served as the foreman for the city street department of Fremont.

      His wife passed away in 1995 and he retired at that time.

      He was an officer with the VFW in Kearney.

      He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Emma; and his brother, Glenn.

      Survivors include his daughter, Sharon Ross of Broken Arrow, Okla.; his sister, LaVerna Broughton of Holdrege; and five grandchildren.

      Viewing or visitation will be Saturday, June 25, from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe.

      Graveside services will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe, with the Rev. Kenton Birtell of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church of Holdrege officiating. Military rites will be presented by the Arapahoe and Edison American Legion.

      Condolences or personal reflections can be left at www.wenburgfuneralhome.com

      Memorials are suggested to the VFW Club in Kearney or the Veterans Home in Grand Island.

      Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe is in charge of arrangements.
      [2, 3]

  • Sources 
    1. [S36] census record.

    2. [S8] Find a Grave.

    3. [S3] Obituary.

    4. [S26] US Social Security Applications and Claims.