Floyd White
Floyd White
Oskaloosa. Floyd White, 98, of Oskaloosa died Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at the Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born on October 18, 1912 on a farm south of Grinnell, Iowa, the son of Lewis Elmer and Nellie D. Harbison White, he worked on the family farm while growing up.
On December 3, 1938, Floyd married Margaret Melton and they went on to have 5 children. In January 1950, Floyd began working at Iowa Power & Light, and after 25 years with Iowa Power he retired.
While raising his 5 children, Floyd served as Scout Master and was involved in numerous community affairs. He and Margaret joined the Presbyterian Church in 1950, where Floyd served as an Elder and as Chairman of the Building & Grounds Committee.
Floyd was a member of the Masons since 1947, and was a Past Master of Masonic Council Lodge 644 and a member of Tri Luminar Lodge #18.
Floyd enjoyed working in his stained glass shop, and his beautiful, self-designed stained glass creations can be found throughout the country and in Italy. His stained glass replica of the Oskaloosa Bandstand is on display in the library, and he has repaired windows in the courthouse and in his church, where he scaled scaffolding to overlay the sanctuary’s window cross at the age of 95.
Floyd also enjoyed fishing and golfing, and he shot his first hole in one at Harvest Point Tee #3 at age 96.
Floyd’s greatest role was that of loving husband and father, and he delighted in spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Floyd and Margaret were considered adoptive parents or grandparents to many in the community.
In Margaret’s words, “Floyd’s hands have done a lot of hard work, and held a lot of babies.”
His family includes his wife of over 72 years Margaret White of Oskaloosa; their five children: Gary (& Mary) White of Nevada, Iowa, Larry (& Helen Matson) White of Independence, Missouri, Loretta McCormick of Orlando, Florida, Steven (& Diane) White of Smyrna, Tennessee, and Carolyn Hoch of Fort Myers Beach, Florida; ten grandchildren: David White, Steven White, Lance White, Kelley McCormick, Lynn Lea, Vicki Downing, Jennifer Smith, Audrey Lubas, Michael Ryan White, Lindsay White; fourteen great grandchildren; a brother: James (& Carmen) White of Marietta, California; and a sister in law: Betty (& Pete) Cuff of Munith, Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson: Dennis White; two brothers: Raymond and Harold White; and three sisters: Ruth, Martha, and Hazel.
Funeral services for Floyd White will be held Monday, August 29, 2011, at 10 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Dr. Dennis Morey officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Masonic Rites will be given at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, it was Floyd’s wish that donations be made to the Building & Grounds Committee of First Presbyterian Church, or to Hospice Serenity House.
Source: Bates Funeral Chapel
