James Hobart White, age 81, of Salem, Indiana, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
He was born on April 6, 1944, in Mitchell, Indiana, to James S. and Agnes I. (Porter) White. James was a 1962 graduate of Mitchell High School.
He went to work after high school and spent 34 years as an employee and supervisor at Cummins Engine Company. He also drove riders from the area to and from Cummins for about half that time, racking up almost a million miles.
He married Lena Ann Rexroat on October 5, 1973.
After retirement, they moved to Baldwin, Michigan where he could fish for salmon and hunt mushrooms. He also worked as a greenskeeper at a golf course there.
After moving back to Salem in the late 90s, he worked as the manager of Western Hills Golf Country Club in Salem. He was also employed at Temple and Temple Excavating and Paving.
It was also during the late 90s that he rededicated his life to the Lord and was baptized at Mill Creek Baptist Church, where he is a member.
Jim had a deep love for the outdoors and spent nearly all his life outdoors hiking, fishing, golfing, hunting for deer, squirrel, rabbits, turkey, mushrooms and ginseng. He also loved sports and was an avid golfer and softball player and bowled on several leagues at the Salem Lanes bowling alley. He loved watching NASCAR, was a fan of IU basketball and the Cincinnati Reds. He especially loved working with flowers and his garden; especially his Knockout Roses..
He is survived by his loving wife, Lena Ann (Rexroat) White; two brothers, Robert (Barbara) White and Harold (Sheila) White, both of Mitchell; and a sister, Barbara (Gary) Blevins, of Mitchell; one son, Greg White (Becky) of Salem, Indiana; one daughter, Melissa (Clyde) Schilling of Florida.
He is also survived by seven granddaughters: Abree (Eric) McAninch of Bedford, Indiana; Abigail (Adam) Clem of Salem, Indiana; Angel (Brett) Purlee of Salem, Indiana; Alexandria (Jared) McNeely of Salem, Indiana; and Addison White and Aspen White, both of Salem and Autumn Palmer of Florida and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Delores Lloyd and Patty Clipp, both of Orleans, and one son, Mark David White, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Visitation will be held at Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home in Salem on Saturday, June 7th, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.
Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm at the funeral home, with Brother Jared Hardin officiating.
Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Salem.
