MOUNT VERNON — Herbert P. “Herb” White, 90, of Mount Vernon died Sept. 14, 2009, surrounded by his family at the Ohio Eastern Star Home.
He was born Sept. 30, 1918, in Howard to the late John A. and Bertha (Russell) White.
Herb was a 68-year member of the Ohio Lodge 199 F&AM, serving as worshipful master in 1951 and again in 1976. He was appointed a district education officer for the 19th Masonic District in October of 1970; served the 19th Masonic District as a district deputy grand master in 1972, 1973 and 1974. Herb was a co-chairman of the Masonic T.E.L.L. program in 1986 and 1987, also served as treasurer of the Ohio Lodge 199 Fellowcraft Club for over 25 years. He was appointed as a representative to the Grand Lodge of Denmark near the Grand Lodge of Ohio in 1992. His honorary Masonic memberships included, Heath Lodge 771, Mount Zion Lodge 9, Danville Lodge 546, Coshocton Lodge 96 and Farmers Lodge 153. In 1986, he was instrumental in helping to start the Ohio Lodge 199 Endowment Fund, which is still active today. Herb was a 60-plus year member of the Glenwood Chapter of OES, where he served as worthy patron in 1959 and 1974. He belonged to Clinton Chapter 26, Kinsman Council 76 and Clinton Commandery 5 for over 40 years. He belonged to the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus and served as an ambassador for many years and then was appointed Knox County director in 1995. He belonged to the Aladdin Temple Shrine and was a charter member of the Kentucky Colonels Club and served as president in 1981. Herb served as president of the Baldwin Shrine Club in Mount Vernon in 1991 and was appointed as an ambassador of the Aladdin Temple where he was instrumental in getting Baldwin Shrine Club Road Runners started. Herb was elected to serve on the executive committee of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus in 1997 and received his 33rd degree in St. Louis, Mo., on Sept. 24, 2003. Herb was a former member and past president of the Knox County Fair Board, founder of the Knox County Agricultural Museum, and a Harrison Township farmer for many years. He was a World War II Army veteran, serving with the combat engineers in Europe, receiving two Battle Stars. Herb retired from the U.S. Postal Service as rural mail carrier for the Gambier Post Office. He was a life member of the VFW and the DAV and a member of the AMVETS.
Herb is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jessie (Lauderbaugh) White; daughters, Gwen (Jim) Dugan of Bladensburg, Rhonda (Fred) Hanus of Danville and Joretta White of Worthington; a son, Rev. Paul White of Canton; grandchildren, Beth (Robin) Totten, Jeff (Amanda) Dugan, Debra (Matt) Burden and Scott Dugan; great-grandchildren, Cody and Danielle Totten, Grace and Shelby Dugan; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Cody and Carson Burden.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Russell, William, George and R. Frank White; four sisters, Lucille Hill, Lorain Lepley, Montez White and Virginia Marra.
Friends may call on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, where a Masonic service will follow calling hours at 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the church with Mr. Doug Brenneman and Pastor Tom Orr officiating. Burial with military honors by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council will follow in Workman Cemetery. The Dilley-Lasater Funeral Home of Mount Vernon is handling the funeral arrangements for the Herb White family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Herb’s name to Ohio Lodge Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 33 Bladensburg, OH 43005; or the Knox County Agricultural Museum Endowment Fund. To express a condolence or share a memory with the family, please visit www.dilleylasater.com.
