Marion White

Marion White, 99, of Ashton passed away January 16, 2011 at Rochelle Community Hospital. Marion (Landau) White started her life on February 4th 1911 the only daughter of Chris and Mary (Lohmeyer) Landau. Marion enjoyed the company of an older brother Russell, and together with their parents, the Landau family moved from Charles City Iowa to a farm on the outskirts of Ashton in 1920. Marion was 9 years old at the time and the Landau family settled on Pine Hill road just south of Ashton near present day Lee Center. Marion attended school in Lee Center where she graduated from the Lee Center High school as a young adult and ready for life. Marion went on to marry Henry Weishaar on January 20th, 1938. Those years with Henry were full of excitement and challenges as Marion and Henry farmed, ran the Iron Clad Elevator and Dryer in Middlebury IL., and a local John Deere dealership for the area farmers. They were a busy couple and Marion didn’t shy away from driving a truck and making grain runs to the Illinois River destinations at LaSalle, Ottawa, and Spring Valley. Not to be one to slow down, Marion took up flying and earned her private pilot’s license during the years with Henry where she enjoyed flying the skies of Ashton in their Cessna 120, truly amazing. Marion and her stepdaughter Shirley Weishaar went on to survive Henry’s passing on August 8th 1964 after 26 wonderful years of marriage. On May 27th 1966 Marion married her second husband, Glen White. Glen was a veteran of World War II and held the rank of Staff Sergeant while in the service. In civilian life as well as during war time Glen was an accomplished welder and ran White’s Welding Shop in Ashton for 26 years. Marion and Glen would enjoy 40 years of marriage and as with Henry Marion enjoyed the addition of a second stepdaughter Nancy Smith. Marion was an active member of St John’s Lutheran church in Ashton and has been since her marriage to Henry. Marion stayed busy quilting with the ladies of St John’s on Wednesdays, gardening, bird watching, and baking which she really enjoyed. Marion enjoyed painting in the past and one of her works hangs in the entrance to St. John’s, an activity she admitted she doesn’t do these days but enjoyed in the past. Funeral service will be held 11:00 am Thursday January 20, 2011 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ashton, with Pastor Jonathan Black officiating. A one hour visitation will be held prior to services at church. Interment will be at Ashton Cemetery. Coulon-Lyons Family Funeral Home 815-453-2441 assisted the family with arrangements. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ashton and/or Ashton Fire & Rescue Squad