Columbus
Loren White, 98, of Columbus, passed away January 27, 2017, at Four Seasons Retirement Center, surrounded by love and his family.
Loren was born to Lloyd E. and Ollie M. (Hahn) White on March 21, 1918, in Glensted, Missouri, and was raised in Edinburgh, where he graduated in 1936. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and started his painting and decorating service in Columbus, where he made his home.
He married his sweetheart, Hazel Louise Tabor, in 1953 and they raised five children as a loving family in the Donner Park neighborhood of close friends. Loren was a member of First Christian Church and the Lions Club for years. Loren truly believed “every day is a gift” and announced that several times. He lived his life in romance and faith, inspiring others with spiritual thoughts worth reading from various literature that he valued.
He appreciated God’s creations of both people and nature as he captured in countless photos taken over the years.
He was dedicated to “Fit for Life,” a program of eating healthy, staying active and always engaging others to follow his lead. He was kind to animals and birds and so nurturing to his little dachshund friend named Lady, who loved him back.
Loren White was “the painter” around town for over 50 years. He poured his pride and perfection into those buckets that he carried up the tallest ladders. Anything could be improved and nothing was too old or worn out to be tossed aside. He refinished furniture, revived walls and woodwork of the most prominent homes that endured the years of Columbus history. His business motto was simple, “Be Right with White.”
Loren taught those around him how to live happy with a positive spirit that was just as natural as his big smile and laugh. He carried that radiance,wit and humor with him to Four Seasons, where he was loved and appreciated as “Pops” for all the joy he brought to them.
To his family, Loren was Hazel’s lover, he was Dad, he was “Po Po.” He was fun, strong and true. He was a fisherman and the keeper of Lost Lake. He was the memory maker and, above all, he was grateful to God. Loren did it right.
Loren was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Hazel; his sisters, Velda and Hazel; brothers, Dana and Ronnie; and nephews, Duane and Brad.
He is survived by his children, Tanya (Keith) Romine, Steven (Tricia) White, Julie (Mark) Tovey, Cindy (Mike) Ott and Lesa (Don) Dial, all of Columbus; grandchildren, Keith (Erica) White, Jayson Tovey (Sara Vance), Nicole (Joel) Hubartt, Tyler Ott, Ethan (Derika) Ott, Benjamin Dial, Emily Dial and Claire Romine; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Wilma Rhoades and Wanda Nettl. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Loren’s Life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, at Myers-Reed Chapel with Chaplain Walter Glover officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery, Edinburgh. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to service time Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials in Loren’s name are suggested to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 17th St, Columbus, Indiana 47201 or the Bartholomew County Humane Society, 4110 E. County Road 200S, Columbus, Indiana 47201.
The family will accept online condolences at www.Myers– Reed.com.
Myers-Reed Chapel is serving the White family.
