Charles “Ben” Benjamin White

Ben White passed from this life on July 23, 2023, in Danville, IL.   He was born August 1, 1941, to the late John R and Frances White in Danville.   He was a life-long resident of Vermillion County and grew up working on his family farm north of Danville on Rt 1.  He had the habit of singing hymns and spiritual songs while driving the tractors.  He graduated from Bismarck-Henning High School in 1959 and was involved with FFA, 4H, baseball, band, chorus and many other activities.   

Ben graduated from Harding College in 1963 with a B.S. in Biological Science and secondary education certification, followed by a Masters of Science in Biology Education from Eastern Illinois University.  He taught one year at Catlin, IL, and then served thousands of students teaching science at Bismarck-Henning Schools until 2005.   He was exceptionally dedicated to his students and his responsibilities as a teacher and class sponsor, often grading papers late into the night and early in themorning at his classroom desk.  

As a child, Ben was a member of the Walnut Street Church of Christ in Danville and then followed the congregation to its present-day location at the East Park Church of Christ.  Heserved as a Bible class teacher, Song Leader, Deacon and an Elder for the congregation. Ben was known as a gentle, patient, and humble servant of The Lord all of his days.   His concern and compassion for others and their walk of faith in Christ was his reason for living in this life. His dedication and devotion to his family was second only to his Faith in Christ. 

Ben was very involved in his community as a leader for Cub Scouts, Webelos and as Scout Master for Troop 395 in Bismarck.  With the help of many other moms and dads he helped many young boys become men as they developed skills and achieved ranks in the Boy Scouts and all the teaching-moments that happen during camping, especially a healthy reverence for discipline, responsibility, and taking care of God’s green earth.   Many of his troop members achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, including his two sons. 

Ben served as secretary of the Bismarck Community Fire Protection District and assisted in the incorporation of the Village of Bismarck.  He was a member of Uncle Joe Cannon’s Toastmasters Club and the Chorus of the Vermillion Barbershop Singing Club.  He served as treasurer for the Newell Township Historical Society and the multi-class Bismarck High School Alumni Group.  

Ben was introduced to the love of his life, Eleanor (McKechnie)at the South Lincoln (Philo Road) Church of Christ in 1963, by his brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Gwen White. Ben and Eleanor were married on June 19, 1965, in a double wedding with David and Lou Ellen (McKechnie) Honeycutt in Grayville, IL.  

Ben was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws (Robert & Evelyn McKechnie), one brother, John Michael White (Gwen) and two brothers-in-law, David Honeycutt and Mike Siddens.  He is survived by his wife, two sons, Scott (Jennifer) and David (Dawn), three grandchildren, Alyson, Grace & Gabrielle, one brother Steven Andrew, and two sisters Ruth Siddens and Mary (Louis) White, and brother-in-law Robert (Peggy) McKechnie.  He was “papa” to his grandchildren and “Uncle Ben” to his nieces and nephews.  

Visitation and services will be held at the East Park Church of Christ 4pm-7pm on Friday, July 28, and on Saturday, July 29 at 1 PM.   Funeral services will at 2 PM on Saturday following the visitation under the direction of Blurton Funeral Home, officiated by Jim Russell and Stephen Cordell.  Final internmentwill take place with the family at Gundy Cemetery.  

Memorials can made to the East Park Church of Christ or the Newell Township Historical Society.  

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