Donald E. White

White, Donald E., 80, August 5, 2008.  Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Island Falls.
SMYRNA MILLS – Donald E. White, 80, passed away Aug. 5, 2008, surrounded by his family, at his home. He was born May 28, 1928, in Merrill, son of the late Joseph and Stella (Hardy) White.
    He attended school in Merrill until going to work in the woods with his father at age 14. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1953 in Germany during the Korean War, where he was said to have announced that he was going to return home from the war and marry a widow with six children, and he did. He married Ramona (Rockwell) Batchelder, Jan. 3, 1954, and they spent their honeymoon nursing six children with chicken pox. His pride was his 1949 Pontiac that had an Indian Head hood ornament, which he sold to buy his first pulp truck in order to support his new family. Six children grew to eight, and the family table saw many trout, deer and moose throughout the years, the result of his skill as a hunter and fisherman. He was a licensed boiler operator at Levesque's Lumber Mill, Masardis, from 1984 until retiring in 1993. After retiring, he enjoyed two memorable trips to Alaska, four-wheeling, fishing, camping at Portage Lake and spending more time with the family.
    Donald is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ramona of Smyrna Mills; four sons, Lemual Batchelder and wife, Anesia, of Iliamna, Alaska, Douglas Batchelder and wife, Donna, of Island Falls, Floyd Batchelder and wife, Cora, of Islands Falls, and Tracy Batchelder and wife, Debbie, of Hampden; two daughters, Bonnie (Batchelder) Condon and husband, Brian, of Portage, and Amy White of Somerville, Mass.; three sisters, Joyce Hayes of Oakfield, Olive Burpee and Nadine Richards, both of Houlton; one brother, Vinal and wife, Judy, of Houlton; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sons, Tony and Terrence; one grandson, Richard; two sisters, Rita Timberlake and Mary Savage; and one brother, Ernest. The family thanks the hospice care providers and volunteers for the excellent care given to Donald.
    A memorial service was held 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8., at Bowers Funeral Home, Island Falls, with Pastor Sterling Lawrence as officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Aroostook, P.O. Box 688, Caribou, ME 04736.