Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued March 22 at 5:43PM EDT until March 23 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 73 IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
IN INDIANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 8 COUNTIES
IN EAST CENTRAL INDIANA
FAYETTE UNION WAYNE
IN SOUTHEAST INDIANA
DEARBORN FRANKLIN OHIO RIPLEY SWITZERLAND
IN KENTUCKY THIS WATCH INCLUDES 3 COUNTIES
IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY
BOONE CAMPBELL KENTON
IN OHIO THIS WATCH INCLUDES 32 COUNTIES
IN CENTRAL OHIO
DELAWARE FAIRFIELD FAYETTE FRANKLIN HOCKING LICKING MADISON PICKAWAY UNION
IN SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO
ADAMS HIGHLAND PIKE ROSS SCIOTO
IN SOUTHWEST OHIO
BROWN BUTLER CLERMONT CLINTON HAMILTON WARREN
IN WEST CENTRAL OHIO
AUGLAIZE CHAMPAIGN CLARK DARKE GREENE HARDIN LOGAN MERCER MIAMI MONTGOMERY PREBLE SHELBY
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ABERDEEN, ADA, ALEXANDRIA, AURORA, BATESVILLE, BEAVERCREEK, BELLEFONTAINE, BELLEVUE, BLANCHESTER, BRIGHT, BROOKVILLE, BURLINGTON, CAMDEN, CELINA, CHILLICOTHE, CIRCLEVILLE, COLDWATER, CONNERSVILLE, COVINGTON, DAY HEIGHTS, DAYTON, DELAWARE, DILLSBORO, DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI, DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS, DOWNTOWN DAYTON, EATON, ERLANGER, FAIRBORN, FAIRFIELD, FLORENCE, FORT THOMAS, FRANKLIN, GEORGETOWN, GREENDALE, GREENFIELD, GREENVILLE, HAMILTON, HIDDEN VALLEY, HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, HILLSBORO, INDEPENDENCE, KENTON, KETTERING, LANCASTER, LANDEN, LAWRENCEBURG, LEBANON, LIBERTY, LOGAN, LONDON, MANCHESTER, MARYSVILLE, MASON, MIDDLETOWN, MILAN, MILFORD, MINSTER, MOUNT CARMEL, MOUNT ORAB, MOUNT REPOSE, MULBERRY, NEW BREMEN, NEWARK, NEWPORT, OAKBROOK, OSGOOD, OXFORD, PEEBLES, PICKERINGTON, PIKE LAKE, PIKETON, PIQUA, PLAIN CITY, PORTSMOUTH, RICHMOND, RIPLEY, RISING SUN, SEAMAN, SIDNEY, SPRINGBORO, SPRINGFIELD, ST. MARYS, SUMMERSIDE, TIPP CITY, TROY, URBANA, VERSAILLES, VEVAY, WAPAKONETA, WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, WAVERLY, WEST COLLEGE CORNER, WEST JEFFERSON, WEST UNION, WHEELERSBURG, WILMINGTON, WINCHESTER, WITHAMSVILLE, AND XENIA.
32° 32° Mon 47° Mon 47° 29° 29° Tue 53° Tue 53°
Wednesday, June 4th, 2025
Joseph Westgerdes
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph Stephen Westgerdes, who left this world far too soon on June 1, 2025. Born on May 22, 2024, in Columbus, OH, Joseph was a spirited fighter from the very beginning, facing the challenges of spina bifida with an unmatched bravery that inspired all who knew him. Defying expectations, he made it past his first birthday and filled the hearts of his family and caregivers with joy during his brief time with us.
Despite the struggles he faced, Joseph was a happy, ornery little boy who loved to smile and stick out his tongue, bringing light to the lives of everyone around him. Spending most of his life in the hospital, he became well-known as the "Tablet Killer," delighting staff and family alike as he drained the batteries of countless electronic devices. If anyone needed cheering up, they knew just where to find it-visiting Joseph was always a boost to the spirit. His family is fortunate to have shared precious moments with Joseph at home for a week before he fell ill, and those memories will forever live on in their hearts.
Joseph is survived by his loving parents, Nick and Jeannie (Ball) Westgerdes; his brothers: Tyler and Christopher; his sisters; Peyton, Harmany, Sophia, and Michele; and his beloved grandparents: John Ball and Gene and Jane Westgerdes. He is also remembered fondly by his aunts and uncles, Kim (Jessie Jutte) Westgerdes, Jenny (Ryan) Logan, Judy (Travis Dunlap) Ball, John (Stacie) Ball, and Jacob (Emily) Ball, as well as numerous cousins.
Joseph was preceded in death by his grandmother, Jodie Ball; aunt, Jessica Ball; and cousin, David Ball.
Family and friends are invited to come together to celebrate Joseph's life.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at New Horizons Community Church, 833 S. Main St, Rockford, Ohio. Joseph will be laid to rest at a committal service in Riverside Cemetery immediately following the funeral.
Visitation will be held at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, 111 W. First Street, Rockford, OH from 3 to 8 PM on Friday, June 6, 2025. A second visitation will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at New Horizons Community Church at 9:00 AM, leading to the funeral service at 10:00 AM.
For those who prefer, memorial contributions in Joseph's name may be made to the Spina Bifida Association, www. https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org.
To share in Joseph's online memorial, please visit www.ketchamripley.com. Arrangements entrusted to Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford, OH.
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