Charles M. BUTLER

BUTLER, HUMBLE, DAVIS, GOWIN, LENTS, MAU, BYER, MATTISON, HOWARTH, TAYLOR, SEARS, BAHR, COLWELL, FERSTL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/8/2010 at 09:42:29

LAKE CORNELIA, IA - Charles "Chuck" M. Butler, age 84, of 1960 Sandy Beach Road, Lake Cornelia, died Thursday (Aug. 5, 2010) at Arbor Springs in Des Moines surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9, at the Klemme United Methodist Church with the Rev. Paddy Druhl officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Klemme Military Squad will be in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Andrews Funeral Home, 528 E. Main St., Klemme, and continue one hour prior to the services at church on Monday. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial may direct them to the family.

Charles "Chuck" M. Butler, was born Sept. 13, 1925, in Humboldt County, near Livermore, the son of Luther W. and Maude (Humble) Butler. He attended Livermore area schools and graduated from Livermore High School with the class of 1942. Following his schooling, Charles served his country in the United States Armed Forces during World War II. During his military tenure in the army he spent time in Germany and various other locations on foreign soil. He was a part of the combat engineers during his six years of military service. Chuck was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant. Upon returning to civilian life, Charles was united in marriage to Virginia M. Davis at the Livermore United Methodist Church on Sept. 2, 1951. Their union was blessed with three daughters, Gwen, Maggie and Becky. The couple farmed for a time in Livermore and Bradgate before moving to a farm east of Klemme in 1955. In addition to farming, Charles and Virginia owned and operated an Oliver business. They later started the firm BMD in Klemme. The business was built from the ground up. With Chuck's vision and perseverance, it grew to become a very successful company that provided its services and expertise not only to the region, but throughout the U.S. and foreign countries. Charles and Virginia actively operated the business until 1992, when Chuck retired as president of the company. Chuck's involvement continued until they sold BMD (known today as A & I) in 1995.

Throughout his entire life, Charles was an ardent and active supporter of the community. He had served for a time as mayor of Klemme, as a board member of the Klemme School Board, and as a Klemme volunteer fireman. He generously gave of his time, talents, and financial support to the Slippery Elm Golf Course, Klemme Ag Days, the fireworks, and to numerous other events and projects. Chuck had enjoyed hunting in earlier years. He and Virginia enjoyed golfing and were longtime members of Slippery Elm Golf Course in Klemme and the Clarmond Country Club near Lake Cornelia. Chuck and Virginia spent many years on winter vacation in Biloxi, Miss., during the month of January. The couple enjoyed dancing in earlier years and actively bowled in numerous leagues. Charles looked forward to fishing excursions in Canada. He also looked forward to any occasion that meant spending time in the presence of his children and grandchildren. Chuck enjoyed the friendly competition of cribbage and cards among the camaraderie of his buddies, Ricky, Arly, Harold and Barney over lunch at the Sawmill in Klemme. Chuck, Rick and Arly would also look forward to an outing to the casino and would often times bring Virginia along for the occasion. Chuck was an actively involved, lifetime member of the Klemme American Legion Post and also the Garner VFW. Chuck will be remembered by his family, friends and former employees as a man who loved life to its fullest, enjoyed the simple things along the way, and cared deeply for those around him. All who crossed his life's footsteps will cherish the echoes of his wonderful and heartwarming laugh, friendly hello and wave to both friend and stranger, and of course his unique wit and humor.

Those left to cherish the memory of his life include his wife and life companion of nearly 60 years, Virginia Butler, Lake Cornelia; daughters, Gwen of Clive, Maggie and husband, Mike Gowin, of Rochester, Minn., Becky and husband, Ed Lents, of Drexel, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Devon Mau and wife, Jamye, Danielle Mau and husband, Connor Sears, Dillon Mau, Chris Gowin and wife, Raissa Byer, Matt Gowin, John Gowin and wife, Jen, Ann (Lents) Mattison and husband, Chris, and Jill Lents and fiancee, James Howarth; seven great- grandchildren, Andrew, Taylor and Cassidy Gowin, Dana and Spencer Mattison, DJ Mau and Nico Sears; brothers, Ralph Butler and wife, Ruby, of Arkansas, James Butler, Washington, Iowa; a sister, Linda Bahr of Livermore; and numerous nieces, nephews and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Mary Colwell, Tulsa, Okla., and Eva Lous Ferstl, Harriet, Ark. Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, IA.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
August 8, 2010