Obituary of Herbert Raymond Butler

Herbert Raymond Butler, Sr. joined his wife in heaven on March 18, 2011, at his home in Appleton. He was born in Appleton on August 9, 1922, the son of Harry Morang and Clara J. Butler. Herbert spent his childhood with his grandparents, George and Martha Butler, in the same house he was born, raised his family, and was able to live in until his death. He attended school in Searsmont at the old Ghent School. He had to quit school after the sixth grade, so that he could work to help support his grandparents. Herbert married Edna L. Tripp on December 10, 1942. They were married for 61 years and she was truly the love of his life. Together they raised three wonderful sons, each of whom he was so very proud. Family meant everything to him and he enjoyed all of the time he could spend with them. He was a kind gentle man who always had a bright smile and a twinkle in his eye. Herbert was drafted into the Army on December 31, 1942, and proudly served his country for three years. He drove a half-track and participated in battles including Ardennes, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland. Herbert had many jobs over the years, but his favorite was being a woodsman and working alongside his sons. They spent many years working in the woods as a team. When he was no longer able to work in the woods because of his health, he worked for Robbins Lumber in their cut-up shop, until his retirement in 1984. Herbert had many hobbies over his life, and most of them involved working with wood in one form or another. It was said that “Herb could build anything.” He enjoyed working with wood and built everything from small jewelry boxes to household furniture for his kids and grandkids, houses for his boys, the family camp on Lake St. George, and large chicken barns for one of his employers. People would bring him a picture of something, or Edna would find a picture in a magazine and ask, “Dad, can you build this?” and he would build it. Herbert always had several projects going at home. One of his latest projects was making his “Tin Man”, which always started lots of conversation, and he sold many of them to people all over the state, across the country and Europe. Herbert and Edna also made Christmas wreaths each year, and they would spend a couple of months working side by side in their workshop making wreaths for all the family and friends they could think of, and selling as many as they could make after that. He was also a builder and collector of clocks, and he proudly had over 200 in his home. His love for clocks began during his war service when he would repair them for his fellow soldiers. Herbert’s favorite time of year was probably Spring, when he could plant his peas. He was known for being the first to get his peas in the ground, a competition he had with many people. He always had peas and new potatoes for the Fourth of July party at camp. This year’s peas are already planted. Herbert was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Edna Butler; his mother, Clara J. Sweetland; and his two sons, Herbert R. Butler, Jr. and Kenneth R. Butler. He is survived by his son, Lester W. Butler, and his wife, Mary, of Seminole, Florida; daughters-in-law, Elizabeth Butler and Olive Tinker; his grandchildren, Joseph J. Butler, Katherine Butler, Kenneth Butler and his wife, Pauline; Vicki Eugley and her husband, Michael; Joseph W. Butler, Kacy Fitzpatrick and her husband, Craig; and Corrie Collins and her husband, Christopher; ten great-grandchildren, and a “daughter”, Roni Hamm. Herbert also leaves a special friend, Annabell Turnbull of Appleton, and his two cats, Tiger and Snowball. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Crabiel & Riposta Funeral Home at 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. A burial with military honors will be held Saturday, May 21st, 1 p.m. at LaSalle-Drinkwater Cemetery on Moody Mountain Road in Searsmont, where he will rest peacefully beside his wife and two sons. A celebration of Herbert's life will immediately follow at Ames School in Searsmont.