James C. White

James C. White

(July 8, 1921 – November 17, 2021)

James C. White , 100, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 8:08 a.m. Wednesday, November 17, 2021 in Paris Community Hospital, Paris, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, November 20, 2021 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Kevin Ray officiating.  Visitation will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home.  Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard.  Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church of Shelbyville or the Shelbyville Fire Protection District.

James was born on July 8, 1921 in Athens, OH, the son of Homer and Bessie Zelma (Smith) White.  He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in the Class of 1940.  James was a U.S. Army Air Force Veteran of WW II in the Pacific Theatre, 1942-1945.  James proudly served his country as a Technical Sergeant, in the 13 ^th Army Air Force, during the invasion of the Island of Palawan, Philippines as a Communication Chief with the 320 ^th Fighter Control Squadron.  James and two of his brothers, Samuel and David, served in WW II at the same time and all came home safely.  Upon his return from the service, James, Samuel and David, worked with their father, Homer, at H. E. White & Sons in Shelbyville, IL. James and David later co-owned White’s Sheet Metal in which James retired after 43 years. He and his wife, Wanda (Hulsopple), of 73 years, enjoyed traveling and wintering in Bradenton, FL for several years.  He was a member of the First Christian Church of Shelbyville, Shelbyville Fire Protection District for 30 years, and Past President of the Shelbyville Rotary Club.  He served on the Planning & Zoning Commission for Shelbyville, and also on the Shelby Memorial Hospital Board.  James loved to visit with everyone, liked to tell jokes, and was an energetic and hardworking man.  James enjoyed his family and friends, made several clocks throughout the years, loved carpentry, reading, gardening and working jigsaw puzzles.

He is survived by his daughter, Becky (Merle) Clark of Paris, IL; daughter-in-law, Brenda White of Murphysboro, IL; sister, Ruth Goulden of Sumner, IA; four grandchildren, Shannon (Vicki) Clark of Painted Post, NY, Travis Clark of Paris, IL, Jim White of Sylvania, OH and Jennifer (White) Sheskey of Monroeville, IN; step-grandson, Jeff (Judi) Brown of Toledo, OH; eight great grandchildren, Cody Sheskey, Garrett Clark, Tanner Clark,  Austin Clark, Shelby Clark, Ashley Clark, Tyler Sheskey, and Andrew Clark; two step-great grandchildren, Jason (Kolina) Brown and Jessica (Daniel) Bryan; step-great great grandson, Aiden Bryan; and three step-great great granddaughters, Hadley Brown, Harper Bryan and Huntley Brown.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Wanda; son, Dennis J. White; three brothers, Paul, Samuel and David; two sisters, Mary and Esther and step-grandson, Mike Brown.