White, Ralph “Red” 90
Ralph “Red” White, 90, of rural Melbourne, Iowa, passed away Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Courtyard Estates in Bondurant, Iowa surrounded by his loving family.
Ralph Andrew White was born on March 4, 1926, at home in rural State Center, Iowa; he was the son of Ralph H. and Nellie (Davidson) White. He attended school in the Melbourne School District graduating with the class of 1944. He was a WWII Veteran and served his country honorably in the United States Navy in the South Pacific from 1944 until 1946, and was trained in diesel mechanics. On June 3, 1950, Red was united in marriage to the love of his life, Virginia Goecke at the First United Methodist Church in Marshalltown, Iowa, and they lived on the farm in rural State Center their entire married lives.
Red was a member of the New Horizons Methodist Church in Melbourne and was always very involved in his church, serving on the Church Board, Finance Committee, Church Lay Leader, Sunday School Teacher and Youth Counselor, West Marshall School Board and School Board President, AEA State Board and State School Legislative Committee, Farm Bureau Member for 50 plus years, and served on the Board. He was also a 50 year member of Melbourne Masonic Lodge #561, Corn and Bean Growers Association and Marshall County Cattleman’s Association and a PROUD Republican. Red was a farmer thru and thru, enjoyed beekeeping, was an avid reader, and at the age of 55 he obtained his Private Pilot’s License. Red will be remembered as a caring, fun loving man with an infectious laugh and a great love for God, Family and Country.
Left to cherish Red’s memory and to “have a good one,” is his loving wife of 65 years Virginia, Children, Anita (Mike) Canney of Des Moines, Iowa, Ron (Rowena) White of Anchorage, Alaska and Catherine (Gary) Conkin of rural State Center, Iowa, grandchildren, Aaron, Ashley (Mike), Austin, Kiel, Keith, Richard, Jacob and Hannah (Mark) and a great-grandbaby on the way.
In death Red rejoins his parents, Ralph and Nellie and siblings Lawrence J. White and Betty Hessenius.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at New Horizons United Methodist Church in Melbourne, Iowa. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa with a Masonic ceremony at the conclusion. Memorials may be directed to New Horizons United Methodist Church or West Marshall School Foundation. Military Honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 839 and by American Legion Posts in the Marshalltown area. For condolences or questions please visit: www.mitchellfh.com.