Owen Wilson White

Owen Wilson White

Ainsworth

Owen Wilson White, age 92, of Ainsworth, Iowa, passed away Monday, August 19, 2024, at his residence.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the Ainsworth Community Church with Pastor Jason Collier and Judy Gill officiating. Calling hours will begin 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will be present to receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Friday evening. Interment with military honors will take place at the Oregon Township Cemetery. Memorials have been established for the Ainsworth Community Church or Hospice of Washington County. Online condolences may be sent for Owen’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Owen was born September 16, 1931, in Lorimor, Iowa, the son of Max M. and Aileen (Shriver) White. He graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1949. Owen was united in marriage to Norma Eatinger on January 6, 1952, in Washington, Iowa.

Owen lived most of his life in the Ainsworth Community. While in high school he drove a grain truck for Max M. White and Sons and continued driving grain trucks until 1968. In 1968, he began his employment with the Iowa National Guard. He worked for the National Guard for 42 years, nine months and seventeen days and attained the rank of First Sergeant. He later worked at the Reserve Center in Iowa City and at the Iowa Ammunitions Plant in Middletown, Iowa, where he retired in 1993. Owen served as the Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator for many years. He was responsible for installing and maintaining the rural house numbers in Washington County. Owen later took on the responsibility of installing and maintaining the house numbers in rural Johnson, Jefferson, Appanoose, Mahaska and Monroe counties. He mowed and maintained Oregon Township, Campground and Cambrian Cemeteries for many years.

Owen was a member of the Ainsworth Community Church. He and Norma had a life-long passion for collecting and restoring antique cars. The enjoyed attending car shows and cruises for many years. He was a member of the Corn Country Cruisers, Southeast Iowa Antique Car Club, the Hawkeye Thunderbird Club, Johnson County Classy Chassis and the International Retractable Club. Owen and Norma enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Arizona for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Norma White of Ainsworth, Iowa; son, Doug White and wife Mardy of Ottumwa, Iowa; son, Don White and wife MaryAnn of Washington, Iowa; ten grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Dorothy White of Ainsworth, Iowa and several nieces and nephews.

Owen was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Aileen White; brother, Max White Jr.; father and mother-in-law, Chester and Mary Eatinger; and brother-in-law, Dale Eatinger.