Charles W. Westover, known to many as the rock 'n' roll recording artist, writer, and record producer Del Shannon, was remembered in Coopersville as a friend who never forgot his roots. The son of Bert and Leone (Mosher) Westover, he was raised in Coopersville with his two sisters, was a member of the Coopersville High School Class of 1953, and married Shirley Nash in 1954. Their three children, Craig, Kymberley, and Jody, were born in Battle Creek while he served in the Air Force at Fort Custer. After completing time in the army during that period, he performed with a group at the Hi-Lo Club and wrote the 1961 hit "Runaway" with keyboard artist Max Crook. As other successes followed, Del Shannon and his family moved to California, and he toured internationally and wrote for other performers such standards as "I Go To Pieces." His other famous hits included "Hats Off To Larry," "Little Town Flirt," and "Keep Searchin'."