John Francis White

Son of Joe and Maggie White, he grew up in the shadow of the monument (Holy Cross neighborhood). He was the first in his family to attend college and eventually became a lawyer. John and his high school sweetheart, Kathleen got married and quickly started their family, having five wonderful children in six years. This also made it essential that he become a great lawyer so he could keep everyone fed.

For more than sixty years he helped people navigate through their toughest times, always trying to leave them in a better place. He battled for social justice one client at a time with compassion and tenacity.

In addition, he served the community as a member of the Marion County Zoning Commission, the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the Indianapolis Marion County Building Authority and Marion County Health and Hospital Board. He also served as treasurer for Congresswoman Julia Carson’s campaign committee. In those roles he helped make our community a better place with a healthy dose of humor and common sense.

John and Kathleen instilled the importance of social justice and common sense in their children with the expectation that each would carry it forward. He taught that everyone was entitled to their opinion but not to their own facts. He loved to discuss and debate hot topics with friends and family, even when they were wrong. He never stopped listening and learning. His grace and tolerance were boundless. In fact, some of his best friends were Republicans.

As a consummate mentor he taught his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren many important life lessons - like it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose, its whether you beat the spread.

John was very lucky to fall in love with Bobbie Bishop after Kathleen passed away, giving him a renewed sense of purpose and happiness. Their relationship became a shining example of what love and commitment really mean.

He did have his favorites and you know who you are. He was happiest when he was spending time with them one on one or all together. He joyously took every opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments.

He was born March 12, 1934, in Indianapolis to the late Joseph A. White and Margaret (Latchford) White. John is also preceded in death by his wives Kathleen (Clouser) and Roberta (Bishop); siblings, Genevieve Coffey (Richard) and Joseph White (Lillian).

John is survived by his children, John (Jill), Mary White (Mark Moede), Anne White (John Zuraw), Ellen White Quigley (Fran), and Vincent White; grandchildren, Joseph (Sabrina), Matthew (Kristen), John, Josh Paskoff (Katie), Matthew Paskoff (Emily), Emma Paskoff, Sam Quigley, Kathleen Quigley Hickey (Collin), Jack Quigley, Abe Zuraw, and Ruth Zuraw; and great-grandchildren Charles and Andrew White. He is also survived by Bobbie’s children, Krista Seeds (Jim), Carrie Davenport (Clay), and Kenny Bishop (Tim).

A Private Family Mass of Christian Burial will be held for John before he is laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana.

The family invites everyone who wants to celebrate this wonderful man to join them on Friday, March 24, 2023, from 1:00 to 4:30 pm at Liter House, 5301 Winthrop Avenue, 46220. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dove Recovery House (doverecoveryhouse.org).

The rest of the story, fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com for the White family.