Von B. White

White, Von B., age 87, went home to be with the Lord on March 24, 2012. Visitation with the family, 5-8 p.m., Friday, March 30, Downing Lahey Mortuary West. Funeral Service, 10 a.m., Saturday, March 31, First United Methodist Church. Von was a beloved husband of 63 years, a wonderful father, a loving grandfather and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by parents, Chester L. and Prudence M. White; sister, Deloris Hollister of Taylorsville, UT; daughter, Rita Michelle White; brothers-in-law, George Kirkendall, Clinton ODell and Roy “Bud” Kelly all of Wichita; sister-in-law, Hazel White of Wichita. Von was born on May 23, 1924, in Crystal Springs, KS. He attended Lovett School in Sumner County, KS until his family moved to Green Forest, AR in 1936. He graduated from Green Forest High School in 1943. Very shortly after graduation, he joined the USMC. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII as an amphibious tractor driver. He was directly involved in the operations and related battles on Kwajalein Atoll, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After his service to our country, he moved to Wichita where he later met and married Marjorie Kelly on July 25, 1948. Von was a member of First United Methodist Church for 63 years where he and Marjorie were members of the 50/50 Sunday School Class. He began learning the plumbing trade from Neal Robinson and later apprenticed with Roy McCoy. In 1962 he received his Master Plumbers License. Later that year, he and Marjorie started Von B. White Plumbing and Ditching Company. They ran this business until Vons retirement in 2001, at the age of 76. He was a past president of Wichita Plumbing Heating Association and also past president of Pleasant Valley Lions Club. Survivors include: wife, Marjorie; daughters, Vonda Palmer (Tom) of Goodland, Lana Duncan (Gary) and Jill Mason (Fred) of Wichita; son Danny White (Liz) of Wichita; 4 sisters, Blossom Kirkendall, Twila ODell, Naomi Kelly and Floriene Schroeder (Mel) all of Wichita; brother, Jolly White of Wichita; brother-in-law, Dean Hollister of Taylorsville, UT; 7 grandchildren, Justin Calvert (Tasha), Jeremy Calvert, Joel Calvert, Cortney Dorn (Michael), Scott Mason, Hayley Mason and Jules White; 5 great-grandchildren, Jackson, Liam, Natalie, Kaden, Kaelin, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials established with First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202 and Good Shepherd Hospice, 439 N. Mclean Blvd., #100, Wichita, KS 67203. Visitation with the family, 5:00-8:00 P.M., Friday, March 30, Downing Lahey Mortuary West