Memorial Gathering: Friday, August 28, 2009 4 to 8 p.m.Excavations at the Millcreek blast furnace, adjacent to Pioneer Pavilion in Millcreek ParkNORTH LIMA – Dr. John Robert White, 72, died peacefully at his North Limahome Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, from complications due to Parkinson’s disease.Dr. White was born in Philadelphia on Aug. 1, 1937 to Mr. John and Catherine(Casanave) White. He was cherished by his Aunt Mary, who remained a sourceof love and support throughout his childhood. John graduated high school fromGirard College in 1955 and served four years in the U.S. Navy before obtaininghis Associate Degree at the City College of San Francisco. He continued hiseducation and in 1963, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from San FranciscoState University. He later received his Master of Arts and finally his PhD inAnthropology from Oregon State University in 1974. Dr. White began teachingAnthropology at Youngstown State University in 1971 and gained Full Professorstatus by 1977. He became the Chair of the Anthropology and Sociology Departmentin 1995 until he retired to Emeritus status in 2005. During his tenure, he was honoredwith the Distinguished Professor award in 1979, 1981, 1985 and 2005. Additionally,he was honored with Research Professor each year from 1979 through 1989, gained theOutstanding Professor Award in 1989, the Honors Professor Award in 2003, andthe Golden Key National Honor Society in 1988. A prolific writer, John personallyauthored over 100 separate articles and books during his academic career includingHands on Archaeology–Real Life Activities For Kids, a text book for teaching archaeologyto children. Additionally, his name has graced articles from the Vindicator to regionalarchaeology and international journals on education. John’s work took him extensivelythroughout the United States, Ireland, Costa Rica, Canada, and Israel. His passion wasarchaeology and he left behind a loyal dig crew of Chuck Mastran, Joe Alessi, Dale Wright, TomDelvaux, Dan Madden, Marian Kutlesa, Debbie Zetts, Pat Carbon, Dick Gregg, Chuck Creager,Larry Bruno, Mike Reznor, Eric Anderson, Eric Johnson, Bob Durick, Ryan Steeves, Chris Walters,Tom McKinney, Jennifer Centric, Renee Marker and multitudes of previous crews too numerousto mention, but not forgotten. In addition to surveying hundreds of archaeological sites, theyexcavated a myriad of sites including the Eaton (Hopewell) furnace, Austin Log House, BarnhiselHouse, Quakertown, Lanterman’s Mill, the Kern (Sun Serpents) Effigies No. 2 and No. 3,Hubbard House, Cherry Valley Coke and Ironworks Site, Damascus Friends Burying Ground,Mill Creek (Trumbull) Furnace and the on-going Mercer (Springfield) Furnace.Besides being involved in education, John was an award winning thespian.Anyone that saw him in Harper’s Ferry will surely remember his bigger-than-life portrayal ofJohn Brown. He was also in a plethora of plays including Three Penny Opera, Gulliver!, Guys andDolls, School for Wives, Lady not for Burning, Mariner, Quasimodo, Grapes of Wrath, Lysistrata, andmany more at both Youngstown Playhouse and Youngstown State University’s theatre.In addition to Dr. White’s anthropological and theatrical contributions, for four years, he was alsothe co-director of the Fresh Air Camp for underprivileged children in Youngstown, located in MillCreek Park and designed to give recreation and education to the city’s children. He wasaffectionately called “Big John”. Up to his passing, he was often stopped by now adults whoremembered his positive impact on them during their camp experience. John leaves behindhis only daughter, Kathryn Yvonne “Kak” White; a son-in law, David Ryan Mauerman; anadored grandson, David John “Tom Sawyer” Mauerman, all of Boardman; his former wife anddear friend, Joanne White; mother-in-law, Katherine “Tass” Strauss, both of Coos Bay, Ore.; two nieces,Sabrina and Cindy Shields; dear friends, Charles Mastran of Liberty and David Parker of Findlay;as well as numerous beloved extended family members, friends and his loyal dog, companion-to-the-end,Molly McWaggles. John was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Yvonne White; and hismuch-loved dogs Patty, Heidi and Babe. Per Dr. White’s wishes, he will be buried in a pine coffin in a privategreen burial at Foxfield Nature Preserve in Wilmot, Ohio. The family invites all friends of John’s to cometo his excavations at the Millcreek blast furnace, adjacent to Pioneer Pavilion in Millcreek Park from4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, for a memorial gathering to share stories and celebrate the life ofour dear friend, father, grandpa, educator, thespian, colleague, and archaeologist. Additional parking will beavailable at the Ford Nature Center. Due to limited parking, carpooling is encouraged. Finally, per John’swishes, his daughter asks that attendees dress casually and in bright colors to celebrate John’s remarkableand wonderful life. He was especially fond of tie-dye. Finally, his daughter wishes anyone who reads this toknow that she was the luckiest daughter in the world and that no woman could wish for a better dad. He willbe forever missed. Arrangements are being handled by the Rossi Brothers & Lellio Funeral Home,4442 South Ave. in Boardman.

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