Marilyn Kramer Jones White, 79, El Dorado, died Friday, February 20, 2009, at St. Francis Hospital.

Marilyn was born July 7, 1929, in Chanute the daughter of Hugh T. and Mary Fortney Jones. She grew up in Chanute and attended Chanute schools, but graduated from a secondary boarding school in Chicago, Ill.

She met Ben White at the University of Kansas, and they married June 14, 1949, in Chanute.

In 1951, she received a Bachelor of Arts in History. They moved to El Dorado in 1955, where Ben established his medical practice with the El Dorado Clinic. After her children were grown, Marilyn received a Masters in Public Administration (1982) and an Ed.S. in Counseling (1991), both from Wichita State University. She served her counseling internship at the El Dorado Correctional Facility.

Marilyn believed strongly in public service. She served in various positions on the Board of the Bradford Memorial Library 1961-69 and 1975-78, including secretary (writing weekly articles and book reviews for the El Dorado Times and Chairman.) Well-read herself, she inspired and encouraged others to read. In 1978, she was the first woman to serve on the City Commission of El Dorado, filling an unexpired term. She was then elected and served as vice-mayor for El Dorado until 1983. Subsequently, she worked in the Center for Independent Study at Butler County College, coordinating the Peer Tutor Program until her retirement in 1996.

Marilyn was a faithful, active member of Trinity Episcopal Church, serving on the Altar Guild for over 50 years. She belonged to Chapter D.S. of PEO, W.M.B.Jr. and Luncheon Club.

Surviving family include three sons, Dr. Ted and wife (Becky Barber) White, Ph.D., of El Dorado, Dr. Douglas K. and wife (Kelli) White, M.D. of Omaha, Nebraska, and Luke White of El Dorado; one daughter,Ginny and husband (Greg) Hallagin of Burlington, Colorado; sister Jean (Bill) Haines of Englewood, Colorado; brother-in-law, Tom Foster of Dallas, Texas, sister-in-law Doris Jones of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren Sarah and Ben White; Neil White and Deanna, Geoff, and Ryan Coughlin; Kelsey and husband (Mattijs van de Liefvoort), Saul, and Cassidy Hallagin. Marilyn will be greatly missed by her large extended family and by her many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ben; brother, Hugh T. Jones, Jr.; sister, Joan Hoeman; and one grandson, Paul White.

Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, at the Trinity Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Marilyn White Memorial Fund. Donations will be distributed to her favorite charities. Contributions may be given or sent to the Kirby-Morris Funeral Home, 224 W. Ash, El Dorado, Kansas 67042. Please share a memory of Marilyn at www.kirbymorrisfuneralhome.com.