Chester Leon White, 86, of Carthage, passed away at Maple Grove Red in Carthage at 1:08 AM Friday
morning, March 22, 2024.
Chet was born near Bentley, Illinois on August 28, 1937, to Baird and Helen (Hardy) White. He graduated
Carthage High School where he was active in FFA showing dairy cattle and track. He was district
champion winning the 1 mile event in 4:58. After high school, he served in the US Army, attending basic
training at Ft Benning, GA and completing engineer school at FT. Leonardwood, Mo. He reached the
rank of SPC5 and served with US Army engineer as heavy equipment operator in the reconstruction of
France. On March 25, 1961, he was united in marriage to Myrtle Irene Prior at the Smyrna Primitive
Baptist Church in Bentley IL. He farmed and worked in a grocery store in Kahoka, Missouri for several
years before moving to rural Carthage IL. There he farmed and raised livestock, along with working for
Bills Super value and IGA in Carthage and Cater Vend in Macomb. After farming, the family moved to
Macomb, IL where he continued to work for Cater Vend and the McDonough Health department. After
raising the family they returned to Carthage where he worked for the Hancock Health department until
retirement.
He was a long time member of the Smyrna Primitive Baptist Church, where he helped maintain the
grounds for many years. He enjoyed hunting, raising and training hunting dogs. He was a AKC and UKC
champion and winner of many awards. He enjoyed collecting amber fruit jars and supporting the kids in
their running and sporting events. He was also awarded the oldest person to compete in the local
Strawberry strut. He also enjoyed taking trips, visiting family, walking dogs and spending time with his
wife of over 60 years.
Chet is survived by his wife Myrtle, of Carthage: children, Bill (Sharon) White of Macomb IL, John (Susan)
White of Wichita, KS, Tom (Jenny) White Carthage IL, Doug (Gloria) Hoener of Quincy IL, Chester Jason
(John) White Tucson AZ, grandchildren; Jamie (Sara), Mallory, Dexter, Cassidy, Jacob, Lauren, Kevin and
Tucker (Jocelyn) White, Allyson (Joshua) Hetzler , Bryce (Olivia) Hoener, Kayla (Owen) Shelton; great
grandchild; Holden White; and a sister, Del White of Ft. Madison, Iowa.
He is preceded in death by a son, Darrell; a daughter, Gloria Hoener; his brothers, Robert, Bill, Glen, and
George White; and sisters, Betty Webb, Peggy Duncan, and Mary Harris.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, March 25, 2024, at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage
with family meeting friends from 9:00 AM until time of services at 11:00 at the funeral home. Burial will
follow in Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage with military rites. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be
directed to: Memorial Hospital Foundation (directed to Red Maple). Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is
in charge of arrangements.