Donald White

Donald R. White, 89, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Monday, October 15, 2007, at the Henry County Health Center. According to his wishes his body has been cremated. Graveside services will be held Saturday, October 20, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at the Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. Full military rites will be conducted by the Henry County Honor Guard, Dean King, commander. There will be no visitation. Memorials have been established to the First United Methodist Church of Mt. Pleasant. The Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel of Mt. Pleasant is in charge of the arrangements. Donald was born December 1, 1917, near Salem, IA, the son of Roy and Ruth Sampson White. He graduated from Salem High School in 1935. Following graduation he attended Iowa State University for one year. Donald served in the United States Army Signal Corps during World War II. He served four years in the European Theatre and received five battle stars. On November 22, 1945, he married Ruth Klopfenstein in Mt. Pleasant. After farming for a number of years, the Whites moved to Mt. Pleasant where he worked at the former R. E. C., the Post Office and operated the Kwiki Car Wash on North Broadway. Following his retirement he worked part time for Contel Telephone Company and also at Tony's Pep Stop. Mr. White was a member of the American Legion Post # 58 since 1948. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee and was an usher for many years. Donald was an avid fisherman. He was an artifact hunter and dealer. He also loved to play cards and enjoyed raising roses and irises. Along with his wife, Donald is survived by one daughter, Shirley (Frank) Bilotta of Oviedo, FL; two grandchildren, Chris (Heather) Bilotta of Tampa, FL, and Nikki (Joel) Solminen of Coon Rapids, MN; one great-grandson, Tobin Joseph Bilotta of Tampa, FL. Also suriving are two brothers, Kenneth White of Independence, IA, and Leonard White of Burlington, IA.; two sisters, Eleanor Breazeale of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Enid Burkey of Lodi, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Joyce White Gray and one brother, Harold White.