Harvey Charles White

Harvey Charles "Chubby" White, age 98, a long time Park Rapids area resident, went home to his Savior on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN surrounded by his loved ones. Harvey was born on November 20, 1915 in Farmington, MN to Harvey and Mathilda (Marks) White. As a child his family moved to the Park Rapids area where he attended country school through the 8th grade. At the age of 15, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked in the CCC camp at the Itasca State Park helping to build that park into the premier state park it is today. Over his life time, Harvey worked numerous jobs; including: working on the railroad, logging, working at a sawmill, working for the Clyde Johnson Construction Company for five years, painting houses and doing yard work. On June 2, 1947, Harvey was united in marriage to Cleo Binley. This union was blessed with five children: Rosella, Phyllis Billy, Tom and Jerry. They were divorced in 1959. Harvey had a deep love for music and taught himself how to play by ear the guitar, ukulele, the organ, piano and the harmonica. Harvey was an outdoorsman who especially enjoyed fishing the area lakes with his family. He had a deep faith in the Lord and loved reading his Bible daily. Harvey had moved to North Branch some years ago; but, moved back to Park Rapids later in life. He became a resident of the Heritage Living Center in June of 2007 where he was cared for by the loving staff there. For the past several weeks he was cared for by the caring professionals at St. Joseph's Hospice. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Phyllis (Steve) Zurn of Clear Lake, WI; his two sons: William and Jerry (Cheryl) White of Park Rapids; his l4 grandchildren and 28 precious great grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren and 4 step-great grandchildren; his sister, Mary Ann Luukkonnen of Park Rapids as well as a host of nieces and nephews; and his special friend, Debbie Pierce. Harvey was preceded in death by his daughter, Rosella Litzau and son, Thomas White; his grandson, Raymond Lee White and one great grand daughter; his brother, Ray and two sisters: Mae Halten and Nina Binley. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Thursday, March 20, 2014 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with the Rev. Lee Kantonen officiating. Special musical tributes of "How Great Thou Art", "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Angels Among Us" will be played from the Jones-Pearson CD library. Harvey's active casket bearers will be his grandchildren: Rachel Crandall, Jerry Robert Charles White, Cleo Litzau, George White, Angie White and Randy Pickett. The honorary casket bearers will be the rest of his grandchildren: Kevin Litzau, Crystal Hurlburt, Cassandra Litzau, Russell Pickett, Tom White, Alan White, Phoebe Crane, Micheal White, Louis Johnson II and Ashley Johnson as well as Harvey's 32 great grandchildren. Interment will be made in the Hubbard Cemetery next to his parents. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the services on Thursday at the funeral home. To leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com