Joseph Norman "Joe" White

Joseph Norman “Joe” White was born Feb. 14, 1939, in Camas Valley, Ore. Joe died at home, in Brownsmead, Ore., with his family surrounding him. He spent the last 43 years in Clatsop County. His parents were Edward and Francis (Vandervort) White. Joe was raised in Elgin, Ore., until age 14, then moved to Colton, Ore., where he attended high school. He served four years in the Marines, and in 1956 received his GED while serving his country. Joe married his high school classmate, Gloria J. Benthin, on Aug. 12, 1972, in Astoria, Ore. He logged in Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. He felled trees and operated logging equipment. After several injuries in the woods, he went to log truck driving, eventually owning and operating his own truck. In 1998, he went to work for Sunset Empire Transportation as a bus driver. After 13 years of driving the bus, he retired at the age of 72. He was a member of the Lower Columbia Classics (LCC) Car Club. His classic cars include a 1929 Ford Model A Tudor, and 1949 Studebaker Champion. He enjoyed car club events, swap meets, family gatherings, catfish fishing, working on cars, crossword puzzles, reading, watching sports, and playing cards with family and friends and playing with his grandkids. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; son Brad; daughters Carlene and Marty; sisters Betty and Ida May; and brothers Ray and Bobby. Survivors include his wife Gloria; and his children and their spouses, Linda and Steve Weirup, Joyce and Ed Van Osdol, Don and Tammi Benthin, Rhonda Benthin and Dave Anderson, Mike and Dawn Benthin, Tony and Jennifer Benthin, Jennifer White, Susanne Benthin, and Gary Hennessee. Grandchildren include Cougar, Luke, Mindy, Marina, Andrew, Randy, Jake, Yvonne, Ben, Jessica, Kristina, John, Jeff, Aaron, Glori, Shandy, Chris, Nicole, Natalie, Robert, Lizzy, Josh, Aria, Krystal, Anthony, Nik, Jessica, Rebecca, and Alyssa. There are also 24 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. In-laws include Dave and JoAnn Skiple, Karen Melugin, and Carl and Lois Melugin. Also surviving are close cousin Harlan Middleton and his wife. Nancy Middleton. There is also a large extended family, the Benthins, from Colton, Ore. There will be a celebration of life April 26, 2015, at 1 p.m. at the Svensen Grange in Svensen, Ore. Charitable donations can be made to MDA or autism.