Max Leon White Obituary (1951 - 2014)

Max Leon White, 62, of Blue Mound, IL passed away at 6:21 p.m. on Monday (Feb. 24, 2014) at Decatur Memorial Hospital. A service to celebrate Max's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (March 1, 2014) at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Blue Mound. Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Burial will be in Hall Cemetery with Full Military Honors being conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Macon County Honor Guard. Max was born on October 14, 1951 in Decatur, IL, the son of Carroll "Bud" and Uldien (Nation) White. After graduating from Blue Mound High School in 1971, Max entered the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served from August 1971-January 1996, attaining the highest enlisted rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. While in the service he was a recruiter, motor transport maintenance chief, and from 1990-1996 being stationed at 29 Palms, CA during Desert Storm he was the Installation and Logistics Directorate Operations Chief before being honorably discharged. Max served during the Vietnam War and the Cold War receiving numerous medals including the Navy Achievement Medals with 2 stars, Good Conduct Medal with 6 stars, National Defense Service Medal with 1 star, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 star, 5 Letter of Appreciation Awards, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 star, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation with 2 stars, Recruiter Ribbon and the Navy Commendation Medal. He was a member of the Blue Mound American Legion Post #1107 where he served as Commander, Marine Corps League Decatur Detachment #799 where he served as chaplain, and Macon County Honor Guard where he was the former Jr. Vice Commander. He also served on the firing detail and as a bugler for the Macon County Honor Guard. Max is survived by his children: Christina (Keith) Shearer of Portland, OR, Kirk White of Olney, IL; his grandson which was his pride and joy: Mateo Medina of Portland, OR; brother: Steve "Spot" White of Blue Mound, IL; sisters: Rita Whitten and Helen (Earl) Albert both of Blue Mound, IL; former wife: Linda White of Decatur, IL; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.