D.F. “Woody” White was born on April 18, 1943 in Decatur, IL to Freeman S. and Florence L. (Kaufman) White and joined big sister, Delores “Dee”, who was more like a mother than a sister.
While Woody hated carrying newspapers as a young man in Argenta, he had so many great memories of the people he encountered while delivering them. He also regaled us with stories of his days playing basketball while at Argenta-Oreana High School where he graduated in 1961. He could still remember many scores and who made the final basket. He also played on several area softball teams after graduation.
After high school, Woody worked at Revere Copper and Brass in Clinton before being drafted in the Army in April 1965. He proudly served his country and was honorably discharged in 1967 (lots more stories) then enrolled in Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel where he also tended bar (oh, the stories). After graduating from Wabash Valley College, Woody returned to the Argenta area, attended Millikin University and was employed at L. E. DeVore Company and Hatfield Electric in Decatur. In 1973 he began a 27-year career with Caterpillar, happily retiring in 2000. People were often amazed how he could rattle off names and badge numbers from his days as a timekeeper.
On July 18, 1970, Woody married Kathy Heinz in Decatur and they shared over 48 years together. Woody’s true passion was fishing and he especially loved staying in his travel trailer and fishing on Lake Shelbyville and Clinton Lake. He also enjoyed hunting mushrooms and snowmobiling in Wisconsin. And for him, the day rarely ended without a good bloody Mary or a cold beer.
Woody passed from this life with his wife by his side on Monday, October 22, in Decatur Memorial Hospital at the age of 75. He leaves his wife, Kathy, daughter Jennifer (Antonella) Quirina and granddaughter Eve Quirina. Also, special nephew Mike (Sue) Ferrill, great niece Lindsey (Sam) Hans and their children Michael and Hayden, great nephew Brent Ferrill, brother-in-law Terry (Connie) Heinz, niece Laura (Greg) Bieller and their children Matthew and Jessica and nephew Wade Heinz. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Delores Ferrill, and her husband Bob.
Special thanks to Sue Ferrill, Dr. Cynthia Marschner, Dr. Susan Vahebi, and the DMH 4600 ICU nursing staff.
A memorial service to celebrate Woody’s life will be held on Saturday, October 27, at 2:00 PM at A-O High School Kimler Gym where he played basketball with Scott Marsh officiating. Military Honors will follow the celebration at the Kimler Gym. According to his wishes, a celebration will continue at Bargenta and Elm Street Grill in downtown Argenta. In Lieu of flowers, donations would be deeply appreciated to the Humane Society of Decatur and Macon County, 3373 N. Woodford or Decatur and Macon County Animal Shelter, 2820 E. Parkway Drive, both in Decatur 62526. The family entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Argenta, IL with arrangements.
