White, Allen A. (1912-2003)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2003 Apr 15 p. 2; 2003 Apr 16 p. 2

Birth date: 1912 Aug 27

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Apr 28 p. 12

text of obituary:

ALLEN A. WHITE

Allen A. White, 90, of Hesston, Kan., died April 15, 2003, at Schowalter Villa. He was born Aug. 27, 1912, to Elmer J. and Sadie (Byler) White in Newton.

He married Edna Horst in September 1936 in Peabody. She preceded him in death on April 10, 1982. He then married Esther Kuhns on April 16, 1983, in India. She preceded him in death on Oct. 14, 2000.

He was an engineer and inventor, having nearly 50 patents to his credit. He was employed with Hesston Corp. for 25 years, retiring in August 1977.

He was a member of Whitestone Mennonite Church of Hesston and directed Lakeside Mennonite Camp in La Clede, Mo., for 10 years. He was an ordained minister in South Central Mennonite Conference and served in the pastorate at Spring Valley Mennonite Church of rural Canton, First Mennonite Church of rural Burns, and the Christian Church of Peabody.

He was a gifted man. He helped build equipment and machinery with his family and was always willing to help others.

Survivors include five sons, Donald and his wife, Sally, of Chevy Chase, Md., Ivan and his wife, Twyla, of Hesston, Roger and his wife, Sherry, of Newton, Darwin and his wife, Theresa, of Hendersonville, Tenn., and Virgil and his wife, Diane, of Newton; a daughter, Colleen White of Elkhart, Ind.; a brother, Dale of Newton; three sisters, Neva White of Manhattan, Elsie White of Hesston and Erna Jantz of McPherson; 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Edna and Esther; four brothers, Warren, Clem, Calvin and James; and two sisters, Gladys Zook and Mary Wenger.

Memorial services were held at Whitestone Mennonite Church. Burial was in Catlin Community Cemetery of rural Peabody.