Vern A. White

Vern White, 70, of Moline, Illinois, died Friday, March 4, 2016, at UnityPoint Health - Trinity Rock Island, Rock Island, Illinois.

A celebration of Vern's life will be Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. in the Horizon Room on the upper level, with Father Jim DeBisschop officiating. A hospitality gathering will follow at CityView Celebrations on the lower level until 5:00 p.m. Prior to services, cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Quad City Animal Welfare Center.

LaVern Allen White was born October 6, 1945, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, the son of Kenneth and Bernice (Braun) White. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Vern attended the University of Illinois and met the love of his life, Sandra Kay Brockman of Moline. They were married on June 17, 1972 and spent the early years of their married life in rural Orion, Illinois, where they enjoyed keeping and riding horses. He earned his graduate degree as a reading specialist and taught reading and language arts for 25 years at Sherrard Junior High School. In addition to teaching, he also served as a girls' basketball and track coach. He is remembered with great fondness by many of his former students, athletes, and their parents.

Upon his retirement in 2004, Vern and Sandy fulfilled their dream, moving to a home they built in the mountains of Colorado. They spent summers and winters there, returning to the Quad Cities in the spring and fall, Colorado "mud season" as Vern described it. While in Colorado, Vern was able to follow his passion for downhill skiing and hiking in his beloved mountains.

In addition to his love of Colorado, Vern enjoyed scuba diving, traveling and reading. He dearly loved Whitey's shakes, chocolate in any form, and dark beer. Vern collected hats from their travels around the world and from his favorite sports teams, including the Chicago Cubs and Denver Broncos. He also spent his free time collecting tools for his hobby of woodworking.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Sandy, his siblings Dr. Loren White (Pat), Inverness, IL; Larry White (Donna), Columbus, OH; Julie Anderson (Dr. Mark Anderson), Lincoln, NE; nieces Meredith White, Jennifer Boehm (Jake), Dr. Anne White, Dr. Rachel Heise (Chris), Ellen Arick (Mike), Susan Oates, (Dan), Matt Anderson (Tessa) and five great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his family, Vern leaves behind special friends Joe Michel, Craig Veber, Dan Stock, Jim Mannhardt, and Gordon Westlund. He had a special place in his heart for Lori Crupi and Kelly Weld and felt privileged to be a part of their young and adult lives.

Visit Vern's personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories and condolences, and light a free candle in his memory.