James “Jim” F. Westerhaus Jr. passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at the age of 83.
Jim was born December 15, 1938 to James F. Westerhaus Sr. and Mary Catherine (Carrigan) Westerhaus in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from St Mary’s High School in Wichita, KS. He went on to study at St. Benedict’s College (Benedictine College) in Atchison, Kansas. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1960.
After graduating from college, he began his teaching career at St. Mary’s High School in St. Benedict, Kansas. He taught English, PE and Driver’s Education and coached basketball. After teaching there for three years, he accepted a teaching job at St. Xavier’s High School in Junction City, Kansas. He taught English, Speech, Physical Education and Health. He was head basketball coach for 9 years, and also an assistant coach for football and track. He touched many lives at St Xavier’s and could share some great stories of his athletes and students. While teaching, he also worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Milford Lake for 10 summers. Jim loved all things sports oriented and was employed as a sports director through civil service at Fort Riley, retiring after 42 years of service.
December 28, 1963 he married Ellen Elizabeth Heiman at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, Kansas. Jim and Ellen were blessed with four children.
Jim was very active in supporting The Girl Scouts of Geary County for 50 years and was a caretaker for Camp Cutteru for nearly 30 years. He was also active in Junction City Junior Baseball association, YMCA youth sports and was inducted into the ASA Softball Hall of Fame. He also volunteered at the Geary County Food Pantry, and was currently a board member. He served as president of the Greenhills Homeowners Association, and was a member of The Knights of Columbus, St. Francis Xavier Church and a resident of Junction City for 58 years.
After retirement, Jim loved to garden and could grow just about anything from a seed. His love for sports carried on following his grandkids to their sporting events, along with supporting and enjoying Blue Jay athletics. He was also an avid Wichita State Shockers fan and Nebraska Husker fan. He had a liking for model trains, enjoyed all kinds of racing and lots of front porch sitting. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, you knew to listen.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents: James Sr. and Mary Westerhaus and his sister Mary Ann Kristek. Jim is survived by his wife Ellen (Heiman) Westerhaus of 58 years and his children: Shelly (Steve) Buhler, Topeka, KS; Ellie (Ken) Dillon, Junction City, KS; Cheryl (Darrin) Deters, Baileyville, KS; and Matt (Gretchen) Westerhaus, Junction City, KS. He is also survived by four granddaughters, Jena, Jesslyn, Kate and Maura; six grandsons, Matt, Mitch, Brandon, Cole, Peyton and Kody; one great granddaughter, three great grandsons and his aunt Gere Carrigan, Atchison KS; one brother-in-law, Albert Kristek of Auburn, WA; one niece and three nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be established with the Geary County Food Pantry and St. Xavier’s Art & Environment.
SERVICES AND GATHERINGS
Rosary: Friday, March 11, 2022 from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m., St. Xavier Catholic Church
Visitation: Friday, March 11, 2022 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., St. Xavier Catholic Church
Service: Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., St. Xavier Catholic Church