Ilene White, 101, of Oskaloosa, died Wednesday, October 26, 2016, at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa. She was born March 28, 1915, at Lorimor, Iowa, the daughter of Walter and Clara Corns Whitaker. She graduated from Rose Hill High School with the class of 1933. Following graduation, she worked at the old Continental Overall Factory in Oskaloosa. On March 20, 1937, Ilene was united in marriage to Melvin “Tom” White, Tom died August 19, 1990. Following their marriage, they moved to a farm near What Cheer, where they lived for over 30 years. Later Ilene moved to Oskaloosa and worked at Montgomery Wards for six years. She also worked part time at the fabric store and Maurice’s. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa, the Oskaloosa Women’s Club, and the Hospital Auxiliary. Ilene enjoyed crocheting, knitting, volunteering in the sack bar at the hospital, and traveling. She especially looked forward to a trip if a visit to family was on the itinerary. Her family always looked forward to her visits especially if she brought her famous cinnamon rolls.
Her family includes her two sons and their wives, Wesley and Marlene White of Surprise, Arizona and Larry and Debra White of Northfield, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Tammy White, Brenda Bokel, Allen White, Diane Honey, Kim White, Bradley White, and Brett White; ten great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband Tom, Ilene was preceded in death by a son, Farrell White; a grandson, Dustin White; a granddaughter, Terrie Furler; three brothers, Harold, Charles, and Marvin Whitaker; and three sisters, Hazel McBurney, Gail Stewart, and Helen Lieurance.
Graveside funeral service and burial will be held Monday, October 31, 2016, at 11:30 a.m. in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa with Reverend Timothy Johnson officiating. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation with the family present will be held Monday morning from 10 a.m. until 11:15, at which time a procession will form to move to Forest Cemetery for the graveside service and burial. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa.
