Last updated 10 March 2001.
Russell Butler, 86, of Carlinville died Thursday morning, August 24 at 2:35 at Carlinville Area Hospital.
Funeral services were held Saturday morning, August 26 at 10:30 at Heinz Funeral Home with the Rev. David Berry officiating and Elner Holliday presiding as organist playing, "How Great Thou Art."
Burial was in Gillespie City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Harold Landon, Donald G. Wilson, Dan C. Pressler, Harold Heinz, Richard Price and Andy Zilm.
Decedent was born John Russell Butler on July 24, 1903 in Gillespie, a son of Elieazer [sic] and Cassie Ann Russell Butler. He attended Gillespie schools and graduated from Worsham School of Mortuary Science in Chicago in 1923. He was a licensed undertaker since 1924.
He married Ruth Dalrymple in 1925. She preceded him in death in 1972. He married Hazel Calverd on March 3, 1973 in Carlinville and she survives.
Butler worked for the Heinz Company since 1931. He was the Macoupin County coroner for eight years. He was also a Macoupin County deputy sheriff for several years. He was a charter member of the Carlinville Lions Club and a member of the Illinois Funeral Directors' Association.
In addition to his wife, decedent is survived by stepchildren, Floyd and Joyce Weller and Dr. Ron and Carolyn Rathke, all of Carlinville; two nephews, Dick Spieler of California, Mo., and Jim Spieler of Columbia, Mo.; one niece, Martha Ann Anderson of St. Louis, Mo.; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Carlinville Senior Citizens Center.