Lester Charles White

Lester Charles White aka Wizard and better known as Poor O’l Papa was born on October 11, 1945 to Harvey and Helen Grace (Veme) White. Poor O’l Papa had a love for trains. He started working for the Milwaukee Railroad when he was 18. Back then it was hard to get a full-time gig so he started moonlighting with the Burlington Northern, he was soon told that’s not allowed, and he would have to choose. He chose the Milwaukee where he started as a Switch-man and later became a Conductor.

He married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Brooks on November 27, 1969. Together they had 11 children, 5 boys and 6 girls. He was often told by associates that he would never have anything with all those kids. Big house, fast cars, vacations, etc, but little did they know he already had everything he could ever want. His family was his biggest and best accomplishment of his life. He wanted to be a Dad, Husband, and friend to all, but most of all a Dad, and then a Grumpy Papa. On November 24, 2001, his dreams came crashing down when Pat died suddenly. Lost, alone, and with young children to raise, he found companionship with Lorena Engvall. The two fell in love and married on June 14, 2003.

His love for trains didn’t stop after he retired in 2005. He loved to read about trains, build model trains and talked about trains especially steam engines. He had maps and stories from the good old days when every little town had a train station.

He loved having his family with him, “presence” with a c not a t, and most of all what some call chaos, he simply called ordinary family life. He loved watching his kids grow and spoiling his grandchildren. He was a charmer for sure.

Poor O’l Papa is survived by his loving wife, Lorena Engvall-White; his blasted kids (undue attention seekers), Christopher (Julie Edeus) White, Jeffrey (Kristina) White, Matthew (Aurora) White, Gretchen (Edward) Rutkowski, Heather (David) House, Nicole (John) Jachino, Timothy (Linda Reader-Geary) White, Katherine (Brad) Charneski, Robert (Holly) White, Bethany (Joshua) Thayer, Valerie (Ryan Fleming) White, and stepson Tony Engvall. His pride and joy are the Grandkids, in order from oldest to youngest: Shea White, Megan White, Kasey White, Aries White, Madelynn Jachino, Logan House, Owen White, Alexander Rutkowski, Shelby House, Macy Jachino, Natalie Rutkowski, Jared Bartlett, Jackson Thayer, Olivia Charneski, Parker White, and baby A and B Charneski. Lester is preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Ann White; his mother, Helen White; brothers, William and Richard White; mother and father-in-law, Waldo and Mayme Brooks; and aunt, Marge.

We would love to pay tribute to another family that touched my father in his time of need and made him feel so safe and welcomed, the staff at the Alverno. It felt like they were part of our family. Thank you to Aimee, Omega, Maddie, Leta, Jen, Lacy aka Sarge, Brandi, Lori, Kristin, Theresa, and the ladies at the front desk and all the other caregivers who knew each one of us and offered love and support every single day.

A Funeral Mass will be held 10:30am Thursday, April 27, 2023 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4 – 7pm Wednesday, April 26, with a Rosary Service at 3:45pm, and also visitation from 9 -10:15am, Thursday at Law Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. A memorial fund has been established for the Savanna Public Library and the Savanna Food Pantry. Friends and family who wish to watch the Facebook Livestream may do so at this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/730761538826551 .