Levi Lafayette Butler, 1870-1956

The Seymour Herald – 6 September 1956

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  L[evi] L[afayette] Butler, son of Mr. and Mrs. P. T. Butler was born Oct. 29, 1870, in Appanoose county, near Seymour, where he made his home with his parents.  On Sept. 16, 1896, he was united in marriage to Cynthia Olive Fenley and to this union were born two sons.

  He purchased a farm east of Seymour where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until the year 1918, when he moved to Seymour where he made his home until the time of his passing.

  He was converted and united with the Baptist church of Seymour during the pastorate of Lenny Clemons.

  Mr. Butler was honest in his dealings with his fellow men; he had a cheerful disposition, he was loved and respected by all who knew him.  He was a good father, and a kind husband and was always willing to lend a hand to those who were in need.

  His companion passed away June 21, 1917.  He lived along until June 1, 1943, when he was united in marriage to Jennie Brown.  They made their home on East Wall street.

  He enjoyed good health and kept busily engaged until his recent illness. He suffered a stroke Aug. 15 and was taken to the Wayne county hospital.  He passed away Aug. 23 at the age of 85 years, nine months and 25 days.  All was done that medical science could do, but to no avail.

  He leaves to mourn his passing his companion; two sons, Glen Butler of Pontiac, Mich., and John Butler of Port Byron, Ill.; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Asa of Seymour and Jesse of Des Moines, and two sisters, Emma Hiatt of Centerville and Verna Johnson of Silvis, Ill.  He also leaves several nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

  Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. W. M. Cleeton Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Liggett Funeral home.  Burial was in Southlawn cemetery.

  Pallbearers were nephews, Gerald Butler, Hiatt Butler, Roy Darrah, Ralph Butler, Merrill Hiatt and Claude Butler.

  Mrs. Vernon Cain played the piano for selected hymns.

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CARD OF THANKS

  We wish to show our appreciation and thanks to all who were so kind during the illness and after the death of our husband and father.

  Your kindness never will be forgotten.

Mrs. Lafe Butler

Mr. and Mrs. Glen Butler and family

Mr. and Mrs. John Butler and family

Gertrude Fenley Butler, 1878-1967

The Seymour Herald – 28 September 1967

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Gertrude Butler Buried Here

  An invalid since she broke her hip more than two years ago, Mrs. Gertrude Butler died Saturday at the home at Lineville where she had been living.  She was born in Wayne county May 6, 1878, and lived all of her life on a farm south of Seymour until moving to town.

  Funeral was Monday afternoon at the Liggett Funeral home with Rev. Gilbert Hamilton in charge.  Burial was at Southlawn cemetery.

  Mrs. Butler was the youngest of the seven children of John and Nancy Jane Fenley and the last of the family.  She married Charles H. Butler in 1899 and he preceded her in death about 20 years ago.  Survivors are their three children, Verna Olive Crowe of Silvis, Ill., Coral Burton of Ames and Claude of Allerton.  There are three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

  She was a member of the Seymour Baptist church.

Charles Henry Butler, 1873-1939

The Seymour Herald – 13 July 1939

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Charles Butler Dies After Long Illness

  Charles Henry, son of Paschal [Thomas] and [Lucintha] Jane [Morlan] Butler, passed away at his home near Seymour July 6, 1939.  He was born in Appanoose county, March 27, 1873, and at the time of his death, his age as 66 years, three months, and nine days.

  He was united in marriage to Gertrude Fenley, [daughter of John Fenley and Nancy Wright], April 2, 1899 [in Wayne county, Iowa].  To this union were born two daughters and one son:  [Verna] Olive Keeney of Numa [wife of Ray Vernan Keeney and Morris Willard Crowe], [Coral Gertruce] Burton of Ames [wife of Maurice T. Burton], and Claude [P. Butler] [husband of Thelma] at home.

  He leavers besides his widow and children, to mourn him, four brothers [Elmer Ellsworth Butler, Levi Lafayette Butler, Jesse Elroy Butler, and Asa Ray Butler], three sisters [Belinda J. Butler Darrah Willis, Emma Eldora Butler Hiatt, and Verna May Butler Johnson], two grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends, a brother [William Newton Butler, 1864-1934] and sister [Viola Butler, 1877-1928] having preceded him in death.

  He was converted in 1912 and united with the First Baptist church of Seymour.

  After his marriage he made his home on a farm north of Seymour [in Walnut township, Wayne county, Iowa] and there he spent the remainder of his life.

  In his last month of illness, he was a patient sufferer, and will be sadly missed by those of the community.

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But when the sun in all his state

  Illuminated the Eastern skies;

He passed through Glory’s morning gate,

And walked in Paradise.

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  Funeral services were held at the Baptist church of Seymour at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 8, 1939, conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. M. Cleeton.  Burial was in the Southlawn cemetery.

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CARD OF THANKS

  We desire to thank our many friends and neighbors for every act of kindness shown during the last illness of our husband and father.

The Family