Ole White

LAKE ANN — Ole Andrew White, 92, of Lake Ann, passed away peacefully at his home Sunday morning, March 20, 2011, surrounded by his loving daughters. Born July 18, 1918, near Lake Ann in Almira Township, Benzie County, he was the son of the late Andrew J. and Laura R. (Petersen) White. He attended West Almira Country School until 1926, then moved to Kingsport, Tenn., when his father was called to design and oversee the operation of the saw mill for Tennessee Eastman Corporation. After graduating from Dobyns Bennett High School in 1936, he attended Virginia Tech and later transferred to Ferris State College. When World War II broke out, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force, serving in communications as a Sergeant in the Pacific Theater. Upon discharge in November 1945, he returned to Lake Ann to farm the fields that he had worked as a teenager during the summers. Ole married Helen G. Morse on Dec. 4, 1946, in Almira Township, and together they raised five daughters. Helen preceded him in death on Dec. 25, 2010, after 64 years of marriage. He raised beef cattle and was a livestock buyer for many years. Ole and his partner, H.R. "Dick" Fitch, owned and operated the Alpena Livestock Commission for 20 years.He served as a Benzie County Road Commissioner for over 42 years, having a road named in his honor. He was recognized by the governor as the longest serving road commissioner in the State of Michigan. Ole was an avid woodsman and loved walking and driving the trails of his property. He actively managed the forest land that he treasured and worked so hard to preserve. His love of the woods never left him and until his illness, often one would find him up in the hills near Stevens Lake. A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Ole was well respected for his honesty, ethics, wisdom and generosity. He was deeply loved and will be missed by many on this earth, but welcomed by many in Heaven. Ole is survived by his caring daughters, Elizabeth (Richard) Dumbrille, Jane White, Jean (Phillip) Johnson, Sue White and Valerie LoCicero, all of Lake Ann; adoring grandchildren, Paul Irish, Heather Irish, Brent Johnson, Brandi Johnson, Jennifer Tandy, Angela LoCicero, Emily White and Andrew White; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Clara Nell Estep, of Marian, Va.; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including Lori Carpenter and Chris Convissor, his honorary daughters. In addition to his parents, Ole was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; a sister, Jane Nelson; half-brother, James White; half sisters, Nellie Thirlby, Bessie White and Esther Morse; and an infant son. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Friday, March 25, 2011, from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Old Lake Ann United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011, with the Rev. Devon H. Herrell and the Rev. Roger Sian officiating. There will be visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place in the spring of 2011 at Greenbriar Cemetery in Almira Township.Those wishing to extend an expression of sympathy may consider a memorial gift to the Northwest Michigan 4-H Livestock Council, PO Box 134, Grawn, MI 49637; Almira Township Veterans Memorial Fund, 7276 Ole White Drive, Lake Ann, MI 49650; or the Woodside Wesleyan Church, 6789 Ole White Drive, Lake Ann, MI 49650. Kindly share your memories with the family on their online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. Arrangements were made with Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.