Donald F. Butler, Sr., 77, of Ironton, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2010, at his residence.
The Ironton native was born May 16, 1932, the son of the late Forest and Blanche Johnson Butler. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean Fuller Butler, whom he married June 29, 1948.
Mr. Butler was a graduate of Hanging Rock High School and Marshall University, where he received his bachelor’s degree. He was a U.S. Army WWII veteran and was a former law enforcement officer with the Ohio Department of Liquor Control, Florida Highway Patrol, Marion County Sheriff’s Department and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department. He was a schoolteacher at Rock Hill High School and Ocala High School. Mr. Butler was a member of the Ohio Baptist Church and was interested in politics and current events and was a voracious reader. He was an avid student of history. He also created and sold videos of WWII on eBay.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Butler; and a granddaughter, Aliisa Michelle Gehring.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Sonja and Ron Wheelis of Ocala, Fla.; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Donald F. Jr. and Patty Butler of Knoxville, Tenn.; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Phyllis and Ernest Long of Dade City, Fla., Mary and Tom List of Lucedale, Miss., Julia and Lamar Luffman of Sparr, Fla., and Norma and Bert Bertolotti of Crystal River, Fla.; a grandson and his wife, Donald Alan and Sarah Butler of Ironton; great-grandchildren: Zachary Gehring and Savanna Gehring of Ocala, and Gage Butler of Ironton and numerous nieces and nephews along with many friends.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Ohio Baptist Church with the Rev. Dan Rapp officiating. Entombment will follow in Haverhill Cemetery. Friends may call 5-7 p.m. today at Phillips Funeral Home and one hour before the service Wednesday at the church. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the James Dickey Post 23. Pallbearers will be Donald A. Butler, Donald F. Butler, Jr., Curt Darnell, Dave Kinker, Jerry Klaiber, Tom List, Lamar Luffman, and Ron Wheelis. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.