Thomas E. White, 65, of Columbia City, died at 4:05 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2009, at Sunrise Assisted Living, Fort Wayne where he was admitted in December.
He was born January 1, 1944, in Whitley County a son of Kenneth A. and Betty J. (Wallace) White. His formative years were spent in South Whitley where he attended elementary school and graduated from South Whitley High School with the class of 1962.
In October of 1962, he entered the U.S. Marine Corp. He attained the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged in October of 1966.
A life long resident of Whitley County, he was the former owner of the Wonder Bar, Columbia City. For the past 5 years he was a custodian at Northern Heights Elementary School.
Surviving relatives include one son, Jeff (Kim) White of Columbia City; a daughter Jama White of Bradenton, Florida; a brother Jerry (Pam) White of South Whitley, one grandchild, Thomas (TJ) White, Columbia City, two nieces, Kelly Norton of Fort Wayne and Katherine Leigh White of Big Lake.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. There will be no funeral service.
Preferred memorials are to Heartland Hospice Services, Fort Wayne.