Rosalie was born in Canton, Illinois to Archie B. and Mary Elizabeth Smith Westerfield on June 21, 1941. She was their only child.
From an early age Rosalie learned to love animals and country life from her parents’ love of both. Her childhood was filled with many pets and she reflected always on her love for them. Her Dad was a Hunter, Outdoorsman and Coal Miner. Her mother was a housewife who always cooked the best dinners. They both taught Rosalie how to be a free and joyous spirit. Loving and sharing their love of Jesus was of utmost importance. Rosalie stayed deep in her faith to her last moment on this Earth. Seeing the best in all people, showing love, compliments to strangers, Rosie loved everyone.
She started in business at the age of 9. She went door to door selling at this young age. In the 1950’s, she had fun with friend’s roller skating and playing on E Elm Street near Walters Flowers. Later the Westerfields moved 1 mile South of Dunfermline. Rosie is a nickname her teacher started to call her. It stuck with her throughout life. Rosie lit up every room she entered and made everyone smile and laugh.
Rosalie met David Wells, the love of her life at a Lewistown HS basketball game and soon after married him in 1959. They celebrated 64 years of marriage the week before her passing on to Heaven. Holding hands eating their anniversary cake. True Love endures forever.
Dave and Rosalie Wells have two children, Tim and Beth. Rosalie loved each of her moments for her family.
Tim, Kerrie, Sydnie, and Clint Wells,
Max Landry & Beth Wells-Landry, Hunter Wells, and Jade Wells. She was their biggest fan in every stage of their lives. Rosie helped raised her grandchildren, Hunter, Sydnie, Clint, and Jade. Holidays were all about treating her grandkids with pies and presents. She loved sports and watched all her grandchildren’s games with pure joy. They were and eternally will be her biggest love in life, along with her husband Dave.
Her best friends, Kay, Peggy, Fay, and Marilyn were close with her throughout life.
She became well known for her love of business. As a child she sold Avon door to door. She achieved a teaching degree from Olivet Nazarene University. Midwest Wigs was her first retail store on 60 E Elm in Canton. Working hard to become a broker, she started Rosie Wells Real Estate, Total Image Supplements, Precious Collectibles, Rosie’s Beanie Shop.
In her 40’s Rosie started her multimillion-dollar publishing business alongside her husband, David in the late 1980’s. Her first publication was for Precious Moments Figurines. Her business flourished after starting out with hand written newsletters written at her kitchen table. She built a nationwide authority for news and price guides in the Collectible world. She employed over 60 employees. Rosie started the first secondary price guides for Hallmark, Precious Moments collectibles, Ty, Harmony Kingdom, Lowell Davis, Cherished Teddies, and published dozens of magazines with worldwide trends in Collectibles. Her work is still available on eBay listings.
Her dogs, cats, cattle, ostriches, emu, horses, peacocks, bison, elk, chickens, and sheep were just a few animals she cherished. Rosie fed the birds the entire year every year.
Rosalie kept a strong, gentle and kind spirit during four years of chemotherapy and radiation for treatment of Multiple Myeloma.
She hoped to see Jesus first then her 53 Dogs waiting for her to arrive in Heaven. She told her daughter she’d appear as a butterfly once to Heaven. As a monarch butterfly, she did the morning after her passing.
Per her wishes, there will be no services, cremation will be accorded through Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton. Memorials can be made to The Salvation Army 176 South First Ave. Canton, Illinois 61520. To leave online condolences please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com
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