Michael Steven White

Michael Steven White, 72, of Tipton, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids after a courageous three-month battle with cancer.

Born to Grant Winford White and Jane Virginia (Gallager) White, Mike grew up in Tipton and graduated from Tipton High School in 1970. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Iowa in 1975. On June 4, 1977, Mike married his lifelong friend and love, Jeanne Marie (Pohlmann) White, in Davenport, Iowa. Their story began in childhood. Mike was eight and Jeanne five when their families bonded over a shared love of sailing. What began as a cherished friendship blossomed into a deep and enduring love. He dearly looked forward to their yearly anniversary trips to Door County, Wisconsin.

During their 48 years of marriage, Mike and Jeanne raised two sons, Ryan and Adam. Mike took immense pride in being a father and grandfather. He encouraged Ryan’s love of classic trains, taking him on rides across the United States and especially on the Boone, Iowa dinner train with family and friends. Mike enjoyed the great outdoors, hunting pheasant, fishing, camping and helping lead scout adventures. He embarked on four unforgettable canoe trips to the Boundary Waters: first with the Boy Scouts, then with his son Adam, and twice more with Adam and his grandsons, Mark and Luke. Mike fulfilled a lifelong dream by skydiving just months before his passing.

For many years, Mike enjoyed racing C-scow sailboats on the Mississippi River at the Lake Davenport Sailing Club, where he served a term as Commodore. Mike worked for Oscar Mayer for 20 years, retiring in June of 2013. After retirement from Oscar Mayer, he worked as a substitute school bus driver for Tipton where his lifelong knowledge of area country roads was put to good use.

Mike quietly provided cheerful service to the community without any need to be seen. As a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, he sang in the church choir, served on the property committee, and helped in other areas when needed. Mike was a frequent volunteer in Jeanne’s first-grade classroom where he worked with students to improve their reading, science and math skills and would occasionally be one of Room 1-3’s “Dirty Desk Detectives.” Mike served for 5 years as the Troop Committee Chair for Troop 76, and for over a decade as treasurer for the ARC of Cedar County helping to manage two properties and provide other services for the disabled of Cedar County.

Above all, Mike cherished his family. His love for Jeanne, his sons, and grandsons was the heartbeat of his life. He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Jeanne; sons Ryan of Tipton and Adam (Tracy) of Beavercreek, Ohio; sister Chris (Russ) of Cedar Rapids; and grandsons Mark and Luke. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Jane.

Visitation will be held Monday, August 11, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fry Funeral Home in Tipton. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12, at Trinity Lutheran Church, followed by burial at the Tipton Masonic Cemetery and a luncheon at the church.

Memorials may be designated to Camp Courageous or Trinity Lutheran Church in Tipton. Mike’s legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the laughter he shared, and the love he gave so freely.