Obituary: Mary “Dorene” White
Mary “Dorene” White, of Stockbridge, MI, age 101, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024. She was born November 11, 1922 in Stockbridge, MI, the middle child of Caspar and Ethel Glenn.
Dorene graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1940. She then attended Michigan State Normal College (now EMU) and Lansing Secretarial School.
She married Curtis W. White on October 10, 1942. After WWII, they settled back in Stockbridge and raised four children. In addition to her beloved family, she had many interests. Dorene was always active in the schools, church, and community. She was the first recipient of the Volunteer of the Year community award in 1999, and she was also a founding member of the Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation. Dorene actively participated in area art guilds, garden clubs, and community theater and music groups. She joined the First Presbyterian Church in Stockbridge in 1931 and served in many capacities throughout her life. She especially enjoyed watercolor painting, collecting flower frogs and Stockbridge history, and traveling.
Dorene is survived by her children, Richard (Melissa Barnard) White of Midland, Sally (Bill) Layton of Colorado Springs, and Barbara VanDyke of Mason; grandchildren: Brian (Michelle) White, Mary “Betsey” (Matthew) Pohl, Elise Layton (Richard Krautheim), Emily (Elliott) Bauder, Samuel VanDyke, Mason VanDyke, Lara (Daniel) Jacobs, Alyssa (Eric) Ward, and Noah (Evelyn) Lofquist; great-grandchildren: Keaton, Kennan, and Evie Jacobs, Henry and Isaac Tallon, Caidra VanDyke, and Ethan and Maddie Lofquist, Chloe (Bryan) Hover, Jacob (Marissa Edwards) Beasley, Nicholas Beasley, and Macy (Luke) Pohl-Kohnen, Audrey Krautheim, and Katelyn, Maxton, Beau, and Luke Bauder; great-great-grandchildren, Ella and Tanner Hover; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Dorene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Curt, a son, Larry White, her siblings: Robert Glenn, William “Billy” Glenn, David Glenn, and Gene M. Barton; daughter-in-law, Amilyn White, son-in-law, Steven VanDyke, as well as sisters-in-law, Peggy Glenn, Mary White, and Jean White; and brothers-in-law, Jim Barton, Al White, and Willard “Bob” White.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. at Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Stockbridge on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 12:00 p.m., where the family will also receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.
A private burial will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in honor of Dorene may do so to the Stockbridge Educational Foundation, the First Presbyterian Church of Stockbridge, or Stockbridge Community Outreach.
