Judge Joseph A. West

Former Eastern County Court Judge, Joseph A. West, 87 years old, of Andover, died early Monday, October 25, 2004, after being stricken suddenly at home. He was born July 6, 1917, in Irving, Illinois, a son of Andrew Anton and Rose (Marak) Wotatek, and moved to Andover in 1952. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving 18 months at the Great Lakes Naval Station training recruits, and then 18 months as a decoder on the islands of Eniweetok and Kwajalein in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He worked for the CIO in Youngstown, and then obtained his law degree from the University of Arizona. During his career, he had his own law practice, was an attorney for the Juvenile Court in Cleveland, and was an assignment commissioner, law librarian and bailiff for Judge Lambros and Pontius in Ashtabula County. He was elected Eastern County Court Judge in 1970, serving 12 years. He retired in 1982. He was an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church and performed nearly 400 local weddings. Judge West and his family operated the Dairy Bar in Andover in the 1960's. He was a thirty second degree mason in the Triandria Masonic Lodge of Rock Creek, Ohio; and also was a member of the American Legion Percy D. Hyatt Post #226 of Andover. His hobbies included fishing, gardening, and playing the harmonica. He leaves his wife, Iva G. (Cannon) West, whom he married November 3, 1959; two daughters, Robin Zambrini of Hubbard, Ohio, and Betty Melvin of Bloomington, Indiana; a grandson, Frank J. Zambrini III. His parents; first wife, Betty (Cross); and a brother, Alfred E. West preceded him in death. Funeral and masonic services will be held on Thursday, October 28, 2004, at 7:30p.m. at Baumgardner Funeral Home, 134 Prospect St., Andover, Ohio, with Judge Robert Wynn officiating. Cremation will follow the services. Calling hours will be on Thursday from 6:00p.m. until the time of service. Guestbook available at www.baumgardnerfuneralhome.com

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