Madalyn June White of Battle Creek Michigan, age 96, passed away peacefully at her home on January 27, 2023.  She was born to Earl and Norma (Pierson) Stelle on April 28, 1926 in Mishawaka Indiana.

Madalyn was the firstborn child and had a younger brother Robert (deceased) who she adored; they were lifelong friends.  The family moved from Indiana to the Kalamazoo Michigan area when Madalyn was a child; she attended school in Portage Michigan and then the Kalamazoo Teachers Collage that later became Western Michigan University.

While in college, she met her husband Jim who was stationed by the Navy in Kalamazoo and taking officer training classes.  It was love at first sight and they were happily married in 1946 on the one-year anniversary of their first date.  That was the beginning of Madalyn and Jim's 76-year adventure together as wife and husband.

In her younger days, Madalyn worked for the Travelers Insurance Company. After marriage, she focused her full efforts on raising her children and running the household.  In 1962, the family moved to Battle Creek Michigan and later, Madalyn handled the business end of Jim's building and contracting business.

Madalyn had a keen eye for design and that was reflected in her decorating and sense of style.  Some of her best memories were long car trips with Jim – going "out West" to take in the scenery, explore Native American historical sites, hike in the national parks, and just see what was around the next bend in the road.

Here are some things Madalyn loved: Visiting with family and preparing a delicious meal, flowers in the garden, birdwatching, a half martini before dinner, Michigan State Spartans and Detroit Pistons basketball (win or lose).

Madalyn is survived by her beloved husband of seventy-six years James Allen White, loving children Debbie White of Battle Creek and David White of Apex North Carolina, their spouses, grandchildren Colin White and Logan White both of Raleigh North Carolina, and a large extended family including special great nieces and nephews in Missouri and the Washington DC area.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Bob.

The family would like to thank Centrica Care Navigators for their hospice care and compassion during Madalyn's last days.

In honor or Madalyn's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will take place at a later date for immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to Centrica Care Navigators or W.K. Kellogg Biological Station Bird Sanctuary.

https://centricacare.org/giving/

https://birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu/support/