Calvin L. White

DESOTO - Calvin L. White, 90, passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022 at his home in DeSoto, surrounded by his loving family.

Calvin was born on September 15, 1932 in Murphysboro to Lowell and Lilly (Wisely) White. Calvin married the love of his life, Shirley Rees on September 15, 1951 in Piggott, AR.

Calvin was a family man to his core. He carried that quality into all other aspects of his life and became a father, brother, or grandpa to anyone who needed him. During his years at DeSoto Grade School as janitor, he could be found by many of the children with a pocket full of candy, ready to ‘sneak’ a little treat to his many honorary grandkids. He was a devout member of his church and was a good and faithful servant of Jesus. He would never hesitate to lend a hand and no one was a stranger.

Calvin is survived by his wife of 71 years, Shirley White of DeSoto; sons, Michael (Wendy) White of Elkville and Larry (Julia) White of DeSoto; daughters, Karen (Bill) Agee of Centralia, Sharon (George) Lee of Carbondale, Terri (Charlie) McCarthy of DeSoto and Arlene (Harold) Wells of Eureka, MO; sisters, Linda Cummings of Lockport and Ruth (Ed Jones) Bowlby of DeSoto; 27 grandchildren; and 39 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by brothers, James White and Frank (Carolyn) White; sisters, Thelma (Howard) Blumenstock, Sarah Jane and Mary Elaine Stewart; sister-in-law, Sarah Palmer; and brother and sister-in-law Stanley and Bonnie Copeland, and great-grandchild Brayden Galloway.

Funeral services for Calvin will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, October 28, 2022 at the Murphysboro Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Jim Frye officiating. Burial will follow at DeSoto Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:00pm until the time of service on Friday at the church.

Memorials may be made in Calvin’s name to Murphysboro Church of the Nazarene or Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the church.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Calvin visit www.meredithfh.com