Honorary 95th Birthday Gift
An open house was held at the Knightstown Friends Meeting in celebration of Joe White’s 95th birthday. Friends and family gathered for a lovely luncheon followed by birthday cake and a surprise announcement. Brittney Schmidt and Elizabeth Selvidge, members of the Knightstown Friends Meeting DAWG (Devoted Adolescence Worshipping God) Youth Group, presented Joe White with an honorary gift. The DAWGS along with friends and family established the Joseph White Scholarship through the Henry County Community Foundation in recognition of his compassion, character, and service to his community.
Mary White, Joe’s daughter-in-law, also presented Joe with a scrap book containing numerous letters detailing his benevolence and impact on people’s lives, pictures and other keepsakes provided from individuals from around the world who know and love Joe. According to family and friends, Joe has humbly given to many causes. He is a lifelong practicing Christian who believes that we must give back to the community (and world) what we have been given. Those close to Joe have learned from him the value of giving. Mary stated, “Joe is a kind, thoughtful, caring person who has friends everywhere he has been. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have him as a father-in-law. He has provided a role model for my family that we could never replicate.”
Joe was born in Knightstown on June 9, 1912, to Wayne and Mabel White. He graduated from Knightstown High School in 1930 and attended Purdue University. He married Marian Goldsberry, a schoolteacher, on December 24, 1935. He purchased the farm near Carthage where he still lives shortly before they were married. They raised two boys both of whom went to Purdue also. Joe is a member of Knightstown Friends Meeting and has represented them in many capacities including Trustee of the Yearly Meeting. He was also a Trustee at White's Institute for many years. He was active in Knightstown Kiwanis Club and President for one year. He also served on the board of the Knightstown Bank. He has served on many agriculture committees as well.
Joe has given of both his time and money to organizations and institutions in which he is interested. He is a supporter of Quaker Haven and of international projects of the Friends as well as the Yearly Meeting. Joe and his late wife Marian spent many winters in Texas and have a large group of friends there. They also traveled all over the world. He has visited every continent with the exception of Antarctica. One of the highlights of Joe’s life was his visit to a church that he helped fund in Kaimosi, Kenya at a theological college established by the Friends. He traveled to Kenya to present the key to the people of Kenya in February of 2007.
In that Joe is a Knightstown graduate, it seems fitting that the Joseph White Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Knightstown High School Senior attending an accredited four-year college or university. In recognition of Joe’s positive impact on the community, inspiration and support of others, the scholarship committee will give special attention to candidates showing a high level of service to their community. The first scholarship will be awarded in the spring of 2008.
The creation of an endowed scholarship fund in honor of a beloved, highly esteemed and admired family member, colleague and friend like Joe is a poignant way to both acknowledge a respected person and positively impact the lives of students seeking higher education. Best of all, the Joseph White Scholarship Fund is permanent; and the earned income from the fund will support service-minded students who give back to their community through scholarships well into the future, making this gift an everlasting tribute to Joe. Joe has unknowingly mentored many friends and acquaintances who continue to donate to this honorary scholarship having learned the true meaning of philanthropy from this man who leads a life of quiet service and generous giving to others.
