Michael "Mike" White

Michael “Mike” White, aged 67, unceremoniously (despite what he would have preferred) passed away on February 27, 2022. He was born to Edward and Ethelyn White (Hale) on September 7, 1954. Being a teen/young adult in the 70’s afforded him lots of good music, fast cars, and a cool pair of bell bottoms his mom sewed for him that he proudly sported with a pair of platform shoes to a Led Zepplin concert. As a big brother Mike took his role very seriously and made sure his little brother was properly tortured well into their 20’s. When asked to explain these stories Mike usually laughed with a shrug and responded, “he wasn’t as innocent as everyone thought either.”

Mike graduated from Thomas Howe High School in 1973. He worked at Dean Pump, Reilly Industries, and eventually ended up at Lord Corporation (or as he used to like to say “I work for the Lord”) from where he befittingly retired on April Fool’s Day in 2021.

In the 80’s and 90’s, Mike was an avid fisherman and participated in Bass Tournaments. A skill that he would continue to use for catch and release of the various fish and snapping turtles that live in the retention pond behind his home. Last year in a moment of trying to relive the good ol’ days, he purchased a paddle boat for said pond vowing to catch “the big one.”

Being born and raised in Indianapolis, he was a true sports fan never giving up on his teams the Colts and the Pacers despite how they play. Nascar lived closed to his heart, too, until Jeff Gordon retired. He just couldn’t bare much of the next season and completely gave up when they went to the stages. Censors do not allow us to expand further.

Mike married the love of his life at Morty’s Comedy Club on May 12, 2012. They spent 13+ years enjoying (almost) every moment together whether they were on one of their weekend trips, doing odd jobs around the house, playing Euchre with the neighbors, or eating take out and watching tv. Their mutual respect and ability to comfort each other was often deemed “unnatural” or “disgusting” by those who were subjected to it. Friends and family knew it was true love when Mike allowed Cindy to regularly drive his truck and even allowed her to teach the handyman how to lay tile.

Left to mourn, tell stories, or even make them up (who’s going to know) are his mother Ethelyn Olesen of Lake Havasu, Arizona, wife Cindy White of Carmel, Son Christopher White of Greenwood, Daughter from another father Mercedes Massey (Dmitri Moreiradasilva) of Esposende, Portugal, Step-Son Austin Layman (Jessica Petty) of Westfield, beloved fur babies Skotty Lucifer and Penny Lane both of Carmel, Brother Monty (Sandy) White of New Whiteland, grandson Theodore Moreiradasilva sadly also of Esposende, Nephew Nathan White, and Nieces Jennie Kemmerling, Laura White, Kierstin Thomas, Aly Gann, and Chloe Gann. He is also survived by in-laws that he actually liked; Mother-in-law Vicky Wilkins-Canfield, Stepmother-in-law Nadine Thomas, Brother-in-law Doug (Jackie) Thomas, and Sister-in-law Jami (Tom) Gann.

He was preceded in death by his father Eddie White, daughter Carrie White, Stepfather-in-law Tom Canfield, and Father-in-law Douglas Thomas.

A celebration of life will be held at Flanner Buchanan-Carmel at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 5 with internment immediately following at Memorial Park in Indianapolis.  Visitation is 11 am – 1 pm on Saturday, March 5. The family invites you to attend to share stories, mourn, pay respects, or just to make sure the a&&hole is really gone (Mike’s words, not theirs)

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mended Hearts Rescue http://mhrindy.org/. The organization where he and his wife thoroughly enjoyed fostering and volunteering until Penny Lane, the dog snob, was adopted and Covid prevented events.