After 16 years on the Stickney Village Board, Trustee Jeff White retired at the end of February.
White’s departure leaves a vacancy on the board and marks the end of an era spanning three mayoral administrations. He chaired the Finance and Air Pollution committees and co-chaired the Zoning and Street committees.
“I don’t feel like I can contribute like I have in the past,” White said. “When Mayor Walik puts a board together, it’s solid. We have a great board, police and fire departments, and public works department. We are very fortunate.”
White served 15 years on the board and one year on the police commission before that. He retired from the car business in 2008 and joined the board under Mayor Dan O’Reilly. He later served under Mayor Debbie Morelli and two terms under current Mayor Jeff Walik.
When asked about standout moments during his tenure, White said there’s not one memorable event that stands out. Instead, he and the mayor focused on the fundamentals.
“We kept our fingers on the pulse of the community,” White said.
“Stickney is very fortunate to have Jeff (Walik),” White said. “He’s a smart man, a retired police officer. I think he’s the best mayor we’ve ever had.”
White acknowledged the shift in his availability. “I enjoyed going to my office daily, but lately it’s been just two days a week. I don’t have the time like I did before.”
At the March 3 village board meeting, Walik read a proclamation honoring White’s service: “Trustee White and his wife, Desi, are longtime residents of the village and have been wonderful neighbors and friends to all in the Stickney community. He has served on the board with diligence on many committees during his tenure. He has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the village and its residents, including organizing and attending village fundraisers and events. It is with the utmost gratitude that I thank Jeff White for his friendship and service. We congratulate him on his retirement from the village.”
White said he’s looking forward to what comes next. “I hope I have helped make our community a little better,” he said. “I cherish and will always cherish all the friends I have made during that time. I’m looking forward to spending more time at our place in Florida and Seneca, Illinois.”
Jeff married the love of his life, Desi White (née Dove), on October 10, 1981, after the two met in high school. Together they built a life rooted in dedication, partnership, and family.
Jeff attended Barry Grade School and Kelvyn Park High School, and continued his education at a community college in Alabama. He later took many years of classes in engine repair at Morton College, always working to maintain and expand his knowledge in the field he loved.
Jeff spent over 40 years in the automotive industry. He owned a gas station in Nashville and later operated a car sales lot in Chicago. He also worked at Larry Roesch and Napleton family dealerships, where he was known for his strong work ethic, knowledge, and dedication to his craft. He had a natural talent for working with his hands and a deep passion for repairing small engines, a skill he continued to refine throughout his life.
Jeff was an active member of the Lions Club, serving as Club President for two years and as Director of Voices in Lions. Jeff was someone who showed up. If there was work to be done or a need to be met, he was there without hesitation.
In his free time, Jeff enjoyed boating, fishing, attending car shows, and collecting vintage cars. He loved exploring garage sales and flea markets, always searching for something he could fix or restore. In recent years, he especially enjoyed spending time relaxing at his summer home at Woodsmoke Ranch.
Jeff was preceded in death by his brothers, Danny White Sr. and Kevin White, and his nephew, Michael Neuman. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Desi; his sister-in-law, Candy (Mike) Neuman (née Dove); and his many nieces and nephews, including Chris White; Christy (Chris) Bird; Nicole Neuman; Amanda (Ricky Garcia) Neuman; Cassandra Wingert; Audrey White; Mickey White; Danny White Jr.; Savannah and Bailey Cohen; Corbin White; Jacob Kelly; Ricky and Julian Garcia; and Noah Wingert who will miss him dearly.
A wake will be held at Mt. Auburn Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, May 4. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5, at Mt. Auburn Funeral Home.