Jerry "Cooter" Butler

Jerry "Cooter" Dee Butler Sr., 70, of Rome City, passed away at 3:38 am on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Mr. Butler was born on February 8, 1943 in Kendallville, a son of Earl and Vera (Austin) Butler. He served his County in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. On September 24, 1981 he was married in Noble County to Deborah K. Combs. He Owned and Operated Jerry Butler Towing, and retired in 2003 after more than 25 years of service. Mr. Butler was a member of the American Legion Post 381 in Rome City. He loved racing, working on cars, and mostly spending time with his family. The surviving relatives his wife, Deborah K. Butler of Rome City; five children Rebecca (Douglas) Degroff, Karena (Stan) Woods, Jodi (Robert) Isaacs, Danny Combs all of Kendallville, and Jerry Dee Butler Jr., of Rome City; a brother Larry (Deborah) Butler of South Bend; eight grandchildren, Skyler A. Woods, Tasha M. Woods, Cheyenne R. Woods, Lydia M. Degroff , Douglas A. Degroff Jr., Derek A. Degroff, Caitlyn R. Degroff, and Kimerly A. Degroff; a great grandson Xander V. Wilcox; a grand dog Spud Isaacs He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Gary Butler A memorial gathering will be held on Monday from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Rome City Fire Station with Military Rite held at 3:00 p.m., by the Rome City American Legion Post 381. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Rome City American Legion Post 381. **********************************