Dale Benjamin White Obituary

August 31, 1928 ~ February 19, 2020 (age 91)

Dale Benjamin White passed away peacefully February 19, 2020 at Lucas County Health Center at the age of 91 years 5 months and 19 days.

     Dale was born August 31st, 1928 the 5th of eight children, to Thomas and Olga Carlson White in Cedar Township of Russell, IA. Thomas  married Ida Carlson White after the death of Olga. She became a mother to the family and two more children were born into the family.

     Dale attended grade school in rural Cedar Grove #5  and then attended Chariton High School, graduating in 1946, where he enjoyed playing basketball with the FFA team.  After High School, he remained at home and farmed with his dad and brother Dean, until August  of 1951 when he was inducted into the Army.  His service included time spent in Aberdeen, Maryland, Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, Company Grecham Common Berks, England and Germany where he was Private First Class where he was an honor student in the US Army Europe Ordinance School.

     Upon his honorable discharge in July of 1953 from the military he enrolled at Iowa State University. He received his degree in Agriculture and returned to the home farm.  In addition to farming he than began working at the Knoxville Veterans Administration as a Occupational Therapist and Horticultures, a career which lasted 27 years.

     He married in 1975 and through this union he was blessed with three children, Bonnie Marie, John Clinton, and Jennifer Lynn, whom he loved and adored.

     After retirement his greatest joy was spending time with his family.  He was a dedicated and loving son, father, brother, and uncle.  Always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.  He loved working around his home mowing, gardening, cutting wood, checking the cows and talking farming.  He would help Janet deliver flowers with Kenton on holidays. He was an avid collector of antiques especially those that needed repair.  He loved attending auctions with Floyd, David and Shari.  He enjoyed traveling to Arkansas to see his children and six grandchildren.

     Dale was a faithful life long member of the Bethel Evangelical United Brethren where he taught Sunday School and held other offices. After the closing of Bethel he transferred membership to Faith United Methodist Church in Russell .

     In the summer of 2019 Dale was the recipient of the Heritage Family Farm award at the Iowa State Fair.  He accepted his award along side the White family who have worked and continue to farm the land all these years.

     Dale continued to live on the White Heritage Family Farm until the fall of 2019, when he became a resident of Homestead Assisted Living in Chariton.

Family remaining to cherish  his memory are his son; John (Melissa) of Bella Vista, AR, Daughters; Bonnie (Jeremie) White Boyd of Siloam Springs, AR, and Jennifer White Helms of Prairie Grove, AR. Grandchildren: James, Haley, and Colby Boyd, Jordan and Lauren White, and Colin Helms, Sisters: Helen Emma Coulson, Lucille Elizabeth Funk, Janet Patricia Clark, all of Chariton and brother; David Addison White of Des Moines, numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.  Proceeding him in death were his parents; Thomas and Olga White, Ida White, Brothers:; Dr Thomas Caryl White, and Dean Carlson White, infant sister, Jenny, Nephew, Steven Coulson, and Niece Sandra White, brothers and sister in laws.

Tallest Among Men - Our Father

Our father stands the tallest among most men.

He lived by great principles and we are so proud of him.
Such honesty and courage no matter what the trial.
He will not grudge any trouble.

He always says be strong and smile.
Our father is our idea of the way others should strive to be.
Hard working man and so much loyalty.
We love him and everything he has done.
But  know we can never repay him for all the

Life lessons and tremendous love.

Here’s to the farmer that has been our solid rock.
Our memories will be all throughout our hearts with a lock.

Daughter, Jennifer