Verlyn "Punky" Westby

Verlyn Loyal “Punky” Westby
Verlyn L. “Punky” Westby, 83, Hibbing, died Monday January 23, 2012, at Guardian Angels Health Care Center, Hibbing.  He was born in Hibbing on April 5, 1928, to Elvin and Nina Westby.  Verlyn graduated from Hibbing High School and served in Japan during World War II as a member of the US Army 511th paratroopers division.  He married Jeanette Aho in September of 1948 in Gilbert, MN and they made their home in Hibbing.  Verlyn had worked as a truck driver for J&L Steel Mining Company at the Longyear mine and later the Hill Annex mine.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanette, of Hibbing; 2 sons:  Dale (Mary Alice) Westby of St. Croix Falls, WI and Ken (Leanne) Westby of Hibbing; a daughter, Shelly Ronchetti of Chisholm, MN; six grandchildren:  Kelly Westby, Danny Ronchetti, Nathan (Esther) Westby, Laura (William) Roberts, Seth (Jessie) Westby, and Kara (J.R.) Albrecht; 11 great-grandchildren:  Tianna Aikey, Aleecia Aikey, Konner Westby—Speece, Korbin Ronchetti, Levi Westby, Tyson Westby, Ashley Roberts, Katelyn Roberts, Savannah Westby, Kyle Albrecht, and Aubrie Albrecht; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Walter and Delmar Westby.
Visitation will be Saturday January 28, 2012, from 1—2 PM in Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing.
Funeral service will be 2 PM Saturday in Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing.  Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing, with full military honors accorded by VFW Post 8510, Hibbing.
To sign the online guest book, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com.

---