Joseph (Joe) Russell White, 79

Joseph (Joe) Russell White, 79, of Ft. Myers, Florida passed away suddenly on September 27, 2024. He was born June 28, 1945 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of Russell and Marian White.

Joe was a beloved father, devoted patriot, adored his Lhasa apso pet companions, ate lemons down to the rind, a frequent listener to 97.1 The Drive, always searched for the perfect hue of brown colored socks and held the nickname “The Bakery Fairy” sharing carbs to all those he appreciated.

Joe was a graduate of the 1963 Class of Roachdale High School in Roachdale, Indiana. After attending Purdue University for only a semester, he enlisted with the Navy in 1965 serving in the Vietnam conflict. He served on the USS Wasp (CVS-18), USS Sproston DD577 and USS Claud Jones DE 1033 where he was honorably discharged in 1969 as a Radioman Petty Officer 2nd Class.

The man with the hammer. Joe was known for being a highly recognized Master Carpenter throughout the Chicagoland area. He began building custom homes in the early 1980’s throughout McHenry County, Illinois. His craft advanced to notable commercial construction projects such as the original Ditka’s Restaurant located within the Tremont Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. By the early 2000’s, he opened Joe White Millwork & Trim serving customers in the North Shore, South Barrington, Hinsdale and other affluent areas of Chicago with a design style of Old World French Country offering high end luxury architectural millwork. A true artisan! When he relocated to Ft. Myers, Florida, in 2018, he focused his craftsmanship solely on CAD design working for Art Staircase & Woodwork LLC in Cape Coral, Florida.

While Joe was not a practicing man of faith, it’s ironic his birth first name followed the footsteps of St. Joseph who was a skilled carpenter. The carpenter square is a symbol representing trade and the concept of truth – the perfect representation for both St. Joseph and Joe White. He made deals over handshakes and instilled a strong work ethic to his children often using the phrase “Don’t tell them how good you are. Show them!”

He is survived by his daughter, Jolene White; his son, Jeffrey White; his granddaughter, Nicole Scott; his sister, Judy Hall; along with family and friends. He is preceded by his parents, Russell and Marian White; half-brothers, Jack Greve and Kenneth Greve and his half-sister, Ruth (Greve) Delihant.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024 at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery, Vattman Road, Fort Sheridan, IL 60037. At the family’s request, please no floral arrangements. Instead, memorials in Joe’s name can be made to an Educational Fund for his granddaughter, Nicole. Please make checks payable to Nicole Scott. All funds collected will be placed into an educational fund that has been created for Nicole. Mail to P.O. Box 95, Huntley, IL 60142.