Robert Butts

Robert E. Butts, Sr., 98, a resident of rural Wolcottville and formerly of Fort Wayne and Churubusco, passed away at 8:05 p. m. on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Lutheran Life Villages in Kendallville following a brief illness. Mr. Butts was born in Fort Wayne on February 2, 1916, a son of Carl E. and Helen (Lutz) Butts. He spent his formative years at Klinger Lake, Michigan, and graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1934. Bob returned to Fort Wayne in 1941 and lived there until moving to Churubusco in 1995. He had resided with his son and daughter-in-law near Wolcottville since 2009. During his working career he had been employed for several tool and die makers, and retired as a tool and die maker from Industrial Products in Fort Wayne in 1979. He was a member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church, and Wayne Lodge 25 F&AM in Fort Wayne. In 1941 he was married to Wilma (Reed) Butts, who preceded him in death in 1995. He was married later that year to Phyllis (McCoy) Macy Butts, who preceded him in death in 2004. The surviving relatives include a daughter Sandra (Jim) Goad of Clarkrange, Tenn; a son Robert E. (Doris) Butts, Jr. of Wolcottville, with whom he made his home; a step-son Paul D. (Gail) Weingart of Bozeman, Mont; his granddaughter Debbie Sibert of Kendallville; and his great-grandson Nathan Sibert of Kendallville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Corinne Boruff-Stucker, pastor of Churubusco United Methodist Church, officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service Thursday morning. Wayne Lodge 25 F&AM will conduct memorial services at 8 p. m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Hooper-King Cemetery, southwest of Avilla. Memorial contributions may be directed to the donor's choice. *************************************************