John Howard Butler Obituary (1919 - 2011)

John Howard Butler, Sr., age 91 of Three Rivers, died Monday April 11, 2011 at Heartland Healthcare Center in Three Rivers following an extended illness. He was born in Charlotte, MI on July 8, 1919 the son of Fred E. and Hazel M. (Brooks) Butler. He was married to Adelia Church on Sep. 19, 1946 in Charlotte. She died in 1999. A veteran of the U.S. Navy during WWII, he served a a Motor Machinist Mate on PT boats for the D-Day invasion at Normandy, and in the Pacific. He was a resident of Jones and Three Rivers for many years and was a member of the Jones American Legion, the Jones United Methodist Church, and the Veterans PT Boat Association. John was employed by the Michigan Department of Transportation in Cass, St. Joseph, and Berrien Counties, retiring as a supervisor in 1980. John is survived by 2 sons, Kendrick G. (Frances) Butler of Three Rivers, and John H. Butler, Jr. of Florida; 3 grandchildren, Crissy, Michael, and Matthew; 1 sister, Clara. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Adelia; a daughter, Gloria Jean Harris; 3 brothers; and 1 sister. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. Memorial contributions may be directerd to the PT Boat Museum, P.O. Box 38070, German Town, TN, 38183. A procession will leave at 12:30 p.m. Thursday from Matt & Mike's Eatery in Three Rivers to Ft. Custer. Assistance was provided by the Eickhoff Farrand Halverson Chapel of Three Rivers.