News Progress

Dorothy Mae Kirkwood White, 73, of Decatur, passed away 5:57 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Springfield Memorial Hospital. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial will be in Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 

Dorothy was born on May 15, 1952, in Linton, IN, the daughter of John Clifford Kirkwood and Alice Marie Nixon. She was a retired teacher from the Decatur Public School, where she worked for many years. Dorothy married Robert Terry White on March 25, 1972, in Bethany, at the Free Methodist Church (where they have been lifetime members) where they met and she was the Church Treasurer for many years. Dorothy traveled with her husband of 53 years to the many places that the army sent them for 21 years until they retired and returned to Illinois never to move again.

Dorothy was very happy being the mother of Dorian Elizabeth (Kevin) Howard, Dana Leann (Reggie) Brown and Jonathan Robert (Katie) White; but she really shined when her grandchildren began with Danielle Elizabeth (Skyler) Daum, Eilyjah JoVon Woods, Isaiah J (Kaleigh) Woods, Carmen Lee Howard, Tori Rae Howard, Beatrix Marie White, Margo Elizabeth White and Ailani Lenah Brown; and great-granddaughter, Nora Jane Daum. Dorothy is the guardian angel over all of her children, their spouses and grandchildren.

Dorothy and Terry spent the majority of their time supporting all of their grandchildren in the many sports, music and dance programs they were a part of. They knew that their “Grandparents” would always be there.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren and siblings, Clifford Eugene (Mary) Kirkwood, Rose Fern (Martin) Willer, Anna Marie Poole and Daniel Wayne (Nitra) Kirkwood, Sr. she is also survived by many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Charles Wayne Kirkwood and sister, Sarah Alice Thompson.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com