Lee R. White
Lee R. White, 67, 609 Fox Rd., Cornell, died Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, peacefully, at home, from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Lee was born Sept. 17, 1954, in Elmhurst, Ill., to Grace (LeFevre) and Robert White.
He grew up in the suburb of Chicago, Villa Park, Ill., until the age of 10, when his family moved to the Lake Wissota area in 1964.
Lee married Janet Anderson April 30, 1977, and shared two children, Robert White and Sarah (Dornik).
He worked in Chippewa Falls, as an auto mechanic at Dave’s Northside, for approximately 40 years.
Lee moved from Chippewa Falls to Cornell, in 2013. During his short time in Cornell, he forged some strong friendships in Rick Mechelke, Paul Hodowanic and Isaac Nohr.
He was not only handy at wrenching on cars, but almost everything he did. He bought his home eight years ago in Cornell, through foreclosure, and fixed it into the masterpiece it is today, with the help of his friend, Dave Schneider.
Lee was found often at his beautiful basement bar, shooting pool with family and friends, when he wasn’t busy fishing or boating on Lake Holcombe, in his beloved ski boat, “Blue,” or hunting and enjoying time at the cabin, with family and friends.
He loved his grandsons with all his heart, and was very proud of his own children and their accomplishments. Beyond his love for the outdoors, if you were close enough to be in his inner circle, he was the most sincere, trustworthy, supportive person that walked this earth.
What Lee did best, was love; he always put everyone else’s needs above his own and for those qualities, he will be forever missed.
He is survived by his son – Robert White (Hilary Smiskey), Chippewa Falls; his daughter – Sarah Dornik (Mike), Denver, Colo.; his friend/son – Josh Joles, Phoenix, Ariz.; two grandchildren – Brantley White and Tristan White, Chippewa Falls; mother – Grace White, Cornell; sister – Pam White, Cornell; and cousin (brother) – Gary Carnahan, Homer Glen, Ill.
He was preceded in death by his father – Robert White; his grandparents; and best friends – Fred Swoboda and Brian Hodowanic.
Arrangements taken care of by Borton-Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Cornell.
