Michael Wayne White

Sgt. Michael Wayne White, 72

Michael White, Born January 22nd, 1950, Tell City, IN, has been called to watch over the gates of Heaven. He was surrounded by his loved ones, family, and friends on Thanksgiving Day as his soul transitioned to begin a new journey to ensure the path is safe for his family to follow. Michael "Mike" as we all knew him was a loving humble man with a hard exterior and a heart of gold. He loved his family and would be willing to give the shirt off his back out of love and respect and would always fight for those less fortunate. He loved his Detroit tiger's baseball and enjoyed taking his sons to all Detroit sporting events over his many years with us. Mike was a loving husband of 42 years and a devoted family man. Mike was a proud Marine and served two tours in the Vietnam war, earing multiple purple hearts for wounds suffered in combat and a bronze star for Valor. Mike was a huge Aviation enthusiast and loved to fly, his love of aviation rubbed off on all three of his sons as well. Mike worked dutifully for Kirco construction for 30 years before retiring to his home in Marine City, MI to enjoy his family, friends, and grandchildren. Mike was a man of few words, but large in character as he always knew what to say when faced with adversity. He would say things like "it will feel better, when it quits hurting", truer words now more then ever as we are all hurting deeply for the loss of such a bright light in our lives and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. In closing to honor our beloved Michael Wayne White with a Marine Corp Poem.

The Watch-

For 72 years

This Marine Has stood the Watch

While some of us lay about our bunks at night

This Marine stood the Watch

While other s of us were attending schools

This Marine stood the watch

And, yes, even before many of us were born,

This marine stood the watch

As our families watch the storm clouds of war

Brewing on the horizons of history

He stood the watch

This Marine looked ashore and saw his family

Often needing guidance

But he knew that he must stay because he had the watch

For 72 years he stood the watch so that

Our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly, in safety, knowing that this Marine would stand the Watch

Today we are here to day

The watch stands relieved

Relieved by those you have led, guided, and trained.

Sergeant Michael Wayne White, you stand relieved.

We have the Watch.

Michael is preceded in death by his father Keith White, his Mother Laverne Hoopingarner. He is survived by His wife Barbara Bayes-White, His sons Justin White, Jarrit (Devon) White, Joshua (Cassie) White, his five grandchildren and his sisters Ladon White, Sharma (Tom) Lee. Full military Honors to be rendered at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly Michigan Thursday December 8th at 11:00am and followed by a celebration of life in his honor at The River Crab Thursday December 8th at 2:00pm. Rest Easy Marine; Semper Fidelis, and God Bless.