Matthew “Matt” Ryan Westfall Sr.

November 21, 1941 - January 27, 2024

Matthew (“Matt”) Ryan Westfall, Sr., died peacefully in hospice care on January 27, 2024, at the age of 82.  He is survived by his brother Francis D. Westfall (Judy) of Medford, NJ; children Matthew R. Westfall, Jr., and Brooke A. Miller (James K.); grandchildren Elizabeth B. Westfall, Jack W. Westfall, Graham A. Miller and Linden C. Miller, all of Louisville, KY; his former spouse Carol A. (Miller) Crossman (Dale); and, numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents Francis D. Westfall, Sr., and Stella (Simms) Westfall; his sisters Anne E. Westfall and Susan W. Westfall; and grandchild Elijah K. Miller.

Matt was a 1959 graduate of Trinity High School; 1963 graduate of the University of Notre Dame; and 1966 graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.  Matt served in the U.S Army Reserve from 1966 until his honorable discharge in 1972 at the rank of Captain.  He practiced labor law at the firm of Middleton Reutlinger where he became the then-youngest ever partner until he and other colleagues formed the firm of Baird, Kirven, Westfall and Talbott, which ultimately became Westfall, Talbott & Woods in 1981 where he remained managing partner until his retirement in 1999.  Matt was a member of the Pendennis Club and Louisville Boat Club.

Matt appreciated the beauty of rare and exotic cars, as well as the beauty of fine glass art, particularly those created by artist Stephen Rolfe Powell whom he considered a close and dear friend until his untimely passing in 2019.  Most of all, Matt appreciated the beauty of the lake from his rear deck tucked high between the trees at his quiet, secluded home in Borden, IN.

Matt was a unique character who could be both an irascible curmudgeon and a charming raconteur who held court with a variety of friends across his daily life.  Matt made clear his wishes to be scattered under the magnolia tree with his grandmother and his horribly missed mastiff, LuLu, from whose loss he never fully recovered. That was Matt.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Matt on Saturday, February 10 from 11 am to 2 pm at Big Spring Country Club.