Irene Butler, 92

Margaret Irene Butler, 92, of Oxford, and formerly of Mendon, died Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, at home surrounded by her family.

Irene was born in Gananoque, Ontario, Canada on Nov. 6, 1919. She was a graduate of Vicksburg High School and Western Michigan University. Irene began her 36 teaching career in the country schools, then the Mendon schools for (first and second grade), and finally moving to the Grand Rapids area schools in 1954 where she taught for 21 years before her retirement in 1974.

Irene was an active member of the West Mendon United Methodist Church until her move to Oxford to be closer to her immediate family in 2008. She was a past member of the United Methodist Women (past president), the Mendon Women’s Club, and current member of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP). She enjoyed sewing, baking, cooking, gardening and traveling.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ned Butler; her parents, John and Pearl (Woods) Meyer; a grandson, Christopher Hunter; and nephew, Alan Meyer.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda (Doug) Hunter, of Palms; two grandchildren, Andrew (Lisa) Hunter, of Oxford, and Julie Hunter, of Oxford; one granddaughter-in-law, Denise Hunter Schwartz of Clarkston; her siblings, Richard (Betty) Meyer, of Three Rivers, Melvin Meyer (Ginny Kinch), of Arizona, and Georgene (Ed) McKenzie, of Arizona; nieces and nephews, Karen (Mike) Lance, Rob (Lori Myers) Meyer, Shari (Dan) Smyers, Judi (Brian) Bennett, Terry (Marcia) Meyer, Larry (Michelle) Meyer; great-grandchildren, Alexandria, Christopher, John, and Jade Hunter; and many beloved grand nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday Nov. 22, 2011, at the West Mendon United Methodist Church with Pastor Ward D. Pierce officiating. Burial will be in Mendon Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the West Mendon United Methodist Church, 22994 Portage Lake Rd., Mendon, MI 49072, to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill Brook Rd., Wilton, NH 03086, or to your local hospice.

An online register is available and condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com