Joseph M. White, Jr. of Leasburg, Missouri was born to the union of Joseph M. and Ida M. (Sutton) White, Sr. on May 9, 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri. He left from this life on Monday, January 18, 2021 at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James at the age of 97 years. Joe was united in marriage to Loretta Reiner on August 28, 1948 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Louis. To this union six children were born Barbara, Constance, Cynthia, Joseph, Robert and a Baby Boy. Joe joined the Naval Reserves while he was still in high school at the age of 17. On December 17, 1940, he was called up for active duty and was sent to the Hawaiian Islands and was stationed on U.S.S. Schley. On December 7, 1941, Joe was on a weekend pass in Honolulu and he heard the bombing at Pearl Harbor. After serving 5 years, 3 months and 25 days in the United States Navy, Joe returned home and went to work for Terminal Railroad. He worked as a Switching Forman and retired after 17 years of service. In November 1970, Joe and Loretta would build and open the Coachlight Inn in Leasburg, Missouri, they operated the business for 17 years. After retiring, Joe enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, gardening and reading historical books. He was a member of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Russell Schmidt VFW Post No. 3987, Meramec Valley DAV Chapter No. 65 and Route 66 Eagles. Joe is preceded in death by his parents Joseph M. and Ida M. (Sutton) White; one baby boy; wife Loretta (Reiner) White; two sisters Amelia Baltursitis and Margaret Richichi; one brother Edward White; one granddaughter Candice White; one great-grandson Christian West. Those who are left to treasure his memory and to continue his legacy are his five children Barbara and husband Don Moore of St. Louis, Missouri, Constance and husband Jim Cornet of Ellisville, Missouri, Cynthia and husband Bill King, Joseph White, III, Robert and wife Rita White all of Cuba, Missouri; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and many friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home 904 W. Washington St. Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021 1:00 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Lueckennotte, officiating. Private Interment with full military honors will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. If desired, memorials would be appreciated to the Meramec Valley DAV Chapter No. 65, P.O. Box 747 Cuba, Missouri 65453. The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba is honored to be serving the White Family.