John "Jack" French Butler

Winnebago April 06, 2010 John "Jack" Butler John "Jack" Butler, age 82, of Winnebago, died Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at Parker Oaks Communities in Winnebago. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2010, at 10:00 AM at the 1st United Methodist Church in Winnebago, with Rev. Wane Souhrada officiating. Burial will be in Basey Cemetery, rural Winnebago. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at Spencer-Owen Funeral Home in Winnebago, and continuing one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Web tributes may be left at www.spencerowen.com Jack was born October 20, 1927, at Nashville Township, Winnebago, the son of Cecil and Beatrice (French) Butler. Jack was raised on his parent’s farm in Nashville Township and attended Winnebago and Truman Public Schools graduating from Truman Public School. In 1944 Jack served in the South Pacific as a 1st Class Petty Officer and was a part of the Seabee Branch of the United States Navy. In 1946 Jack returned to Winnebago and was united in marriage to Leonora M. Wright on February 11, 1951 in Winnebago. Besides his love of farming Jack was a Manager of Shelby Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company in Amboy, Director at 1st National Bank in Winnebago, Director on North Star Mutual Wind Insurance Company, and was part owner of the 1st National Agency in Winnebago. Jack was a member of the Basey Church until its closing then transferred to the 1st Methodist Church in Winnebago. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #82 in Winnebago, Odd Fellows and the Masonic Lodge. Jack loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. Jack is survived by his wife, Leonora Butler of Winnebago; his son, Mike (Deb) Butler of Winnebago and their children Eugene (Abby Faber) Butler and Clinton (Jamie) Butler; his daughter, Vicki (Kevin) Grant of Blue Earth and their children Laurie (Gabe) da Silveira, Jennifer (Justin) Pfaffinger, and James Grant; daughter, Kim (Jeff) Wikre of Berthaud, CO, and their children Trevor (Traci) Wikre, Jared Wikre and Danielle Wikre, he is also survived by his two great grandchildren, Dizel Butler and Lua da Silveira, and many nieces and nephews. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; sister; Merva Dobie, brother-in-laws; Mert Dobie, George Eisenmenger, and Gerald Carson.