Ed White

Dana Edward “Ed” White, 83, of Rensselaer, IN passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 at Southlake Methodist Hospital in Merrillville, IN. He was born in Elizabethton, TN on May 7, 1940, the son of Nicholas Robert White and Mary Etta Atwood (White) Geesa. Ed was a 1958 graduate of Mt. Ayr High School where he excelled at sports and was the quarterback of the football team.

After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army. While in the service, he met the love of his life, Marie O’Neill, of Waukon, IA, then living in Chicago, IL. When Marie returned home to visit family for Thanksgiving, Ed hitchhiked to Iowa and asked Marie to marry him. They were married in Waukon, IA on April 22, 1961.

Ed was a prominent local businessman and owned and operated Ed White’s Auto Sales for 51 years. He started in the auto business as a young man, first at Tonner Motors in Rensselaer, and then at LaBeau Bros. GMC in Kankakee, IL. Then he was president of the Northwest Indiana Ford dealership, with locations in Morocco and Lake Village, IN. He started his own dealership on north McKinley Ave. in Rensselaer in 1972. Over the years he sold vehicles to thousands of loyal customers. He was a true “Hall of Famer” in the used car business.

Ed was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church; American Legion Post #29; Knights of Columbus; and the Indiana Independent Auto Dealers Association, where he served as president, twice. He was also a member of Curtis Creek Country Club for over 40 years. He was a recipient of the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash Award.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marie White; three sons: David Brian White (Michelle), Troy White (Jonna), and Mike White (Lori Andrews); seven grandchildren: Joshua, Abigail and Cody White, Taryn Sanchez (Shaun), Christopher White (Sarah Todd), Hannah White, and Brady White (fiancé Leealison Korniak); three great-grandchildren: Ella, Gracyn and Lennon Sanchez. He is also survived by two brothers, Ben Geesa (Penny) and Roy Geesa (Susan).

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Orville Geesa; two brothers, Landon Cecil Davis and James Geesa; and two sisters, Loretta Edwards and Betty Jo Whitten.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. CST at Steinke Funeral Home of Rensselaer. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Joshua Bennett officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Contributions in Ed’s memory may be made to St. Augustine School or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Steinke Funeral Home is honored to be handling the arrangements. Memories, condolences and photos may be shared with the family at www.SteinkeFuneralHome.com.