Ector Co. TX - Obituaries from the Odessa American Online Submitted by Sonny Hall shall@balista.com Thanks to the Odessa American Online http://www.oaoa.com/ ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** OA Online Obituaries. Permian Basin Obituaries Copyright © 1999-2002 Odessa American. All rights reserved =========================================================================== Sunday July 07, 2002 Donald W. White ODESSA - Donald W. White was born June 5, 1944, in Kermit, Texas, to Barge and Mary Haynie White. He passed from this life peacefully in his sleep at home on Friday, July 5, 2002. His parents, three brothers, Charles, John and Dennis White preceded him in death. Don is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Sally White. He is also survived by his three sons and their families: Donald (Andy) White and wife Holly of San Angelo and their children Jordan, John, Jasmine and Jonah; Joey White and wife Memrey of Odessa and their children Wesley and Jorden; Bobby White and wife Kristina of Odessa and their children Dylan and Addison. Also, his stepmother Lorraine White of Jacksboro, Texas; his sisters, Melba Bowers and husband Troy and Barbara Rudd and husband Jack, all of Odessa; and special family friends Bob and Joyce Morris of Midland, as well as numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and the special people in his church family survive him. Don was very involved in his church, Lutheran Church of the Risen Lord, having served as president of the congregational chapel. Don was always ready to cook food for any occasion and was a willing volunteer for any need. His presence at the church will be greatly missed. Don was a very outgoing individual who had numerous "coffee buddies" throughout town. He was truly a person who never met a stranger. At first glance, Don was a big man with an even bigger attitude, but to those who knew and loved him, he was big teddy bear who would give you the shirt from his back. He was always there for his family and friends. Don was a supportive, loving husband to his wife Sally and was very proud of his three sons, Andy, Bobby and Joey, who are all firefighters and paramedics. He deeply loved his eight grandchildren and the love they brought him. He made it a point to tell them often, "Grandpa loves you." Memorial services celebrating Don's life will be at 11 a.m. Monday, July 8, 2002, at the Lutheran Church of the Risen Lord, with the Rev. James Otterness officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Lutheran Church of the Risen Lord or Odyssey Hospice of Odessa. The family would like to thank the numerous physicians and nurses at Medical Center Hospital and West Texas Cancer Center for the care they gave Don. A special thanks to Marilyn McCracken at Odyssey Hospice for the support she gave Don and the family, which enabled Don to be at home with those who loved him. Don will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. Services have been entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. Bennie D. Steelman ODESSA - Bennie D. Steelman, 75, of Odessa, passed away Friday, July 5, 2002, at his residence. He was born April 9, 1927, in Prichett, Texas, to Claud and Trudy Steelman. Bennie was raised in East Texas. After serving in the Navy, he married Alma Dye of Gilmer to whom he remained married for 54 years. Bennie and Alma took their two children and moved to Odessa in 1961 where he went to work for Ref Chem, then later Rexene, retiring in 1983. He then went to work for the city of Odessa and retired in 1993. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Elton Steelman and Wasel Wayne Steelman, both of Gladewater. He is survived by his wife, Alma Steelman of Odessa; son, Charles Steelman and wife Dolores of Garland; daughter, T.J. "Terry" Palmer and husband Wayne of Odessa; sister, Bonnie Smith and husband Harvey of Gladewater; sister-in-law, Pat Steelman of Gladewater; four grandchildren, Chris Steelman of Garland, Doug Steelman of Balch Springs, Randy Palmer of Fort Worth and Katie "Nikki" Palmer of Odessa; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews and wonderful friends. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, July 8, 2002, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Terry Wright officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Home Hospice. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Copyright © 1999-2002 Odessa American. All rights reserved.