Merton G. White

SIOUX CITY -- Merton G. White, 85, of Sioux City passed away Thursday, May 27, 2010, at a local Sioux City hospital following an illness of two and a half years.

Abiding by family wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, June 10, at Mayflower Congregational Church, with Pastor Dan Lozer officiating. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel has assisted the family with arrangements.

Merton was born May 7, 1925, in Fonda, Iowa, son of Ernest and Blanche (Mullins) White. He graduated from Fonda Public Schools. Merton entered the U. S. Navy in September 1943 and was honorably discharged in March 1946. During his service, Merton served aboard the USS Unimak in the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Aleutian Islands. He began working for Crane Plumbing Company in September 1948 in the sales department. He retired from the D.M. Lantis Company in June 2003 following 55 years in the plumbing wholesale business.

Merton married Margaret J. Hanlin on May 29, 1949, in Sioux City. He was a member of Mayflower Congregational Church for more than 48 years, a member of American Legion Post 64 for 41 years and was active in the youth baseball program. Merton enjoyed playing golf and was an avid fan of Hawkeyes sports.

Merton is survived by his childhood sweetheart of 65 years, Margaret J. White; two sons, Greg White of Sioux City, and Curtis White and his wife, Linda of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.; three grandchildren, Holly (White) Swanson and her husband, John of Lakewood, Colo., Andy White and his wife, Holly of Ankeny, Iowa, and Maggie White of Palos Verdes Estates; great-grandchildren, Addison White, Jonas Swanson and Jack Swanson; sisters-in-law, Francis (White) Mennenga and her husband, Louis of Belmond, Iowa, and Eunice (Hanlin) Welch and her husband, Robert of Iowa City, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

Merton was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ethel Van Slyke; and brothers, Lyle, Robert and Delbert.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are asked to be made to Mayflower Congregational Church in Merton's name.