Butler, Max Eugene 1922-2016

BUTLER, GRAY, VALVIO

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/23/2016 at 17:39:11

Max Butler
October 13, 1922 - February 19, 2016

Max Eugene Butler, 93, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at the Baxter U.C.C. at 10 A.M. on Saturday, February 27, 2016. Memorial services will be held also at the Baxter U.C.C. at 11 A.M., followed by a military memorial service at Restland Cemetery in Baxter. Lunch will then be served in the church basement.

Max was born on October 13, 1922 in Baxter, Iowa to Charley and Hazel Butler. Max had one brother Rex and two sisters, Zetta Rae and Jenna Mae.

After graduating from Baxter High School in 1940 Max enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After a series of training assignments, Max’s team flew its B-29 to Japan where it successfully performed various missions including 3 supply runs for POW’s in World War II.

On October 30, 1943 Max married the love of his life, Lela Gray. Max and Lela were married together for just shy of 62 years. Together they had three sons, Danny Gene, Jackie Lee, and Davey Charles. In 1967-68 the family hosted a foreign exchange student through the YFU Exchange program, Timo Valvio from Finland. Max has 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
In 1956 Max became the postmaster in Baxter, a position he held for over 31 years. During this time Max and Lela attended numerous Postmaster Conventions, which fueled a passion for travel that he shared with Lela. Together they visited a majority of the 50 states, Finland, and routinely traveled to visit their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Max was an active member of the U.C.C. Church in Baxter, volunteered his time as a Boy Scout leader for each of his sons and was a member of The Eastern Star, Lions Club, Baxter Volunteer Fire Department, and The American Legion. Max was a member of The Masons for over 65 years and was given an award for being the longest serving member of that organization in the state of Iowa in 2012. Max enjoyed steam engines, medium/well done steaks, and hot coffee while socializing with friends and family.

Max is preceded in death by his parents, wife Lela, bother Rex and sister Jenna Mae, and sons Jack and Dave.

He is survived by his sons Dan and Timo and his sister Zetta Rae.

Memorials may be directed to the family to be distributed according to Max’s wishes to his preferred charities. Fredregill Family Funeral Home in Baxter has been entrusted with the care of Max and his family. Online condolences will be welcome at www.fredregillsfunerals.com. ~ The Fredregill Funeral Home, Baxter, Iowa