WEST MADISON – Jack Dempsey White was an example of the generation that made the Town of Danville, according to Danville Mayor Mark McClure. “Jack was the last of the 13 founding members of Danville Fire Department,” McClure said. “He served with the unit department from 1945 to 1972.” McClure said he had known White for decades. “He was always interested and involved in the town and its development,” he said. “Jack was a good friend and he will truly be missed by so many who loved and respected him so much.” White, 87, of Danville, died on Saturday, April 13, 2013. He was surrounded by his family. He was born April 22, 1925, in Huntington, to the late Theora and John D. White. On February 16, 1948, he married Doris Ray Hall of Six Mile. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in February. She survives him. “Doris is one of the sweetest ladies you could ever hope to meet,” McClure said. “Our prayers and deepest sympathies go out to her and the rest of the family.” Also surviving are his two sons, William and his wife, Sandra, of Minster, Ohio, and Bruce, and his wife, Sheila, of Madison. White was blessed with three grandchildren, Tammy and her husband Dan Bock of Scott Depot, Scott White of Hurricane and Mary Beth and her husband Scott Deck of Madison, and six great-grandsons. His extended family consists of six step-grandchildren and 18 step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Mamie "Sally" Koehn; brothers, Theron and Seybert White; and a great-grandson, Luke Bock. Jack was a lifelong member of Danville Church of Christ. He was also a member of O'Dell No. 115 Lodge, a 32nd degree Scottish Mason and a member of the Beni Kedem Shrine. “Jack came from the older generation in Danville that got the things done in developing the town that we take for granted today,” McClure added. “He liked to collect mining stickers as a hobby and was just a joy to be around. This is a big loss for the Town of Danville.” Services were on Wednesday, April 17, at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, with Richard Runyon officiating. A fireman’s funeral procession was conducted through Danville and West Madison to his final resting place in Boone Memorial Park. Madison and Danville fire departments’ Ladder 199 and Ladder 291 paid their last respects to retired Captain Jack Dempsey White of the Danville Fire Department during the funeral procession. Handley Funeral Home in Danville were in charge of the arrangements and those wishing to express condolences to the family can do so online at www.handleyfh.com A complete obituary will be published in the Wednesday, April 24, 2013, print edition of the Coal Valley News.