NORTH MANCHESTER - Jack W. Butler, 80, of Laketon, died at 9:30 a.m. May 26, 2009, in Seton Speciality Hospital, Indianapolis.
He was born April 3, 1929, in Laketon, to Albert and Ople White Butler. On July 8, 1951, in Laketon United Methodist Church, he married Thelma Jagger, who survives.
He joined the U.S. Army in 1951 and was stationed in Munich, Germany, until his discharge in 1953. He graduated from Laketon High School in 1948, and International Barber College, Indianapolis, in 1953. He barbered in Laketon with his father, and had a shop in North Manchester for a few years. He continued to barber in Laketon until going into insurance business full time in 1975. He retired in early 2000. He was an active and life member of Laketon American Legion Post 402, serving in many chairmanships including membership. He was Boys State Chairman, Post Commander, and served as adjutant, along with membership and Boys State. He was active in the Fifth District, serving as judge advocate several years, commander in 1974, and Legislative Committee. He served as chairman of Community Service and spearheaded the construction of the Eternal Flame monument for veterans at the Wabash Courthouse Lawn. He was on the Indiana Soldiers & Sailors Childrens Home Committee several years, National Vice Commander from 1984-85, Chairman of the Legislative Committee, and Vice Chairman. He served as National Liaison to the Legislative Committee. He was presently serving a second year as the Alternate National Executive Committeeman. He became an honorary life member of Anavicus (Army, Navy, & Air Force veterans in Canada) in 2000 at the National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1999, he received the Department American Legion Distinguished Service Award. He was a candidate for National Executive Committeeman for 2009-2011. He was a 50-year member of Pleasant Township Volunteer Fire Department. He was past president of the original Laketon Lions Club, and a member of Laketon Pleasant Township Association. He was elected and served as Justice of the Peace from 1962-74. He was a member of the Wabash B.P.O.E. 471, and worthy patron of the Order of the Eastern Star 69 in 1962.
Also surviving are two sons, Kevin (and spouse Phyllis) Butler, North Manchester, and Kim (and spouse Carol) Butler, North Manchester; a daughter, Rhonda (and spouse Mike) Hagg, Silver Lake; grandchildren, Krista Fisher, Kassidy (and spouse Mike) Garcia and Shawn Butler, all of North Manchester; Tara Butler, Austin, Texas; Thomas and Valerie Meredith, and Jonathon Hagg, all of Silver Lake; Michael (and spouse Nicole) Blevins, Fort Wayne; and Stephanie Butler, North Manchester; great-grandchildren, Chelsea and Chandra Butler, Tylin Butler, Colin Garcia, Kayla Garcia, Carleigh and Chase Blevins, and Skyelin Kline, all of North Manchester; Paris Butler, Indianapolis; and Mylee West, Silver Lake; two sisters, Helen Bechtelheimer Hylton, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Lela Ramage, Peachtree City, Ga.; and a brother, John (and spouse Hazel) Butler, Indianapolis; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim and Joe Butler.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, 207 W. Main Street, North Manchester, with Pastor J.P. Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Laketon Cemetery
Calling is from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
