Warren O. White

Warren O. White, 83, of Roseville, Ohio, formerly of Ekalaka, passed away, March 4, 2017 at Fairhope Hospice & Palliative Care - The Pickering House in Lancaster, Ohio following a lingering illness.

Warren, the son of Everett O. and Marion C. (Bendure) White, was born 16 June 1933, in Zanesville, Ohio. He graduated Zanesville High School in 1951, attended Colorado A. & M. until 1953, when he was drafted into the US Army where he served active duty with the Military Police until 1956, when he transferred to the US Army Reserves 342d Military Police Company. Following his retirement from the Army as a 1st Sergeant, he proudly continued to serve with the Department of Defense, as the US Army Unit Administration Reserve: Department of Army Civilian from which he retired at the grade level of GS-7 in 1993. Thus ending a military career spanning nearly 40 years in the service of his country where he had earned the respect of both his superior officers, as well as the men he served with, for his exemplary devotion to duty and honor.

In the 1940’s his parents had purchased 2 ranches in Carter County, Montana and began raising Hereford Cattle. Growing up between Ohio and Montana he found that he considered this area of Montana more home to him than Ohio and always longed to return even though in later years the family no longer owned either ranch.

With his military life behind him he decided it was finally time to return to Montana. Settling first in Billings, he soon moved his family to Ekalaka in the fall of 1995, where he had applied for the position of Carter County Museum Director. Within a few months, his application accepted and approved, he received his appointment to that of Director in December 1996, where he served until health issues forced his retirement in October 2012. During his tenure he initiated many changes and upgrades to the Museum. He often said that this was the best job he had ever had. Not only did it afford him the opportunity to return to an area of Montana that he deeply loved and considered home, but coupled with his love of history, and the museum that he had grown up enjoying, it was the best of both worlds.

Warren’s devotion to service of others and community continued throughout his life as he served on the Beaver Lodge IOOF Cemetery Board; Adjutant of the American Legion Post 60, Carter County; Co-founder of the Medicine Rocks Black Powder Association of Carter County, with whom he served as Treasurer until 2009, introducing the area to his love of Black Powder Shooting Sports. Was a member of the Carter County Geological Society; Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7885, Carter County; the Carter County Chamber of Commerce, and several Civil War Re-enactment groups in Virginia and Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Bill, Willard (his twin), and Jack; and one step-daughter, Anita McCrea.

He is Survived by his wife, Shirley, of the home, two daughters, Jessica White, Nashport, Ohio, and Julie White; two step-daughters, Kimberly Cooper, Grand Ridge, Florida and Mary Collins, Zanesville, Ohio, two sons, Stephen White, Nashport, Ohio, and Robert White. Mason, Ohio and one step-son, Erik Dickson, Kentucky. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; four nieces, two nephews; a sister, Beverlie Richards, Zanesville, Ohio and two Sister-in-Laws, Phyllis White, Canton, Ohio and Judy White, LaJolla, California. Special friends, Billy Taggart, Nashport, Ohio, Bobby Johnson, Grand Ridge, Florida, Frank & Charlene Mehling, Brice Lambert, Fulton & Betty Jo Castleberry, all of Ekalaka and many others too numerous to name.

Warren never met a stranger. He always had a ready smile for all and was always willing to help those in need. Devoted to family he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as a friend to many. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Special thanks to Perry County Family Practice, Dr. Stephen C. Ulrich, and staff, New Lexington, Ohio; Genesis Health Care - New Lexington Nursing Home Center, staff and doctors, New Lexington, Ohio; Fairfield Medical Center, staff and doctors, Lancaster, Ohio; and Fairhope Hospice & Palliative Care - The Pickering House, staff and doctors, Lancaster, Ohio for all their loving care.

Graveside memorial services will be held July 26, 1 PM, at the Beaver Lodge IOOF Cemetery in Ekalaka with full military honors conducted by the local veteran’s Honor Guard. Music will be courtesy of Phil Cook. A Coffee Hour will follow at the Senior Citizens Center.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that a donation be made in Warren’s memory to either the Carter County Museum, the VFW Post 7885, or the Beaver Lodge IOOF Cemetery.