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Gerald “Jerry” Arden Butler passed away Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the age of 75. Jerry was the second of four children born to the late Glen and Isabelle (Bingaman) Butler. He is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Peggy (Hackenburg) Butler; his siblings, Carol Hines, Darlene (Ron) Fox, and Ron (Sharron) Butler. He is also survived by three children and their spouses, Kevin (Paula) Butler, Richard (Kristina) Butler, and Julie (Jared) Burkeen. Jerry loved and was loved by his ten grandchildren, Ashley (Jacob) Kuhns, Abagail Bogucki, Kassie Bogucki, Allison Butler, Mason Burkeen, Harleigh Cotey, Johnny Cotey, Elizabeth Burkeen, and Andrew Burkeen.
Jerry graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1957 and entered the U.S. Marine Corps soon after graduation. Upon his discharge from the Marines in 1959 he began a thirty year career at Fabri-Kal Corporation in Kalamazoo as a Production Foreman. After leaving Fabri-Kal, Jerry ran his own golf course aeration business from 1993 until 2003. Jerry will be most remembered for his love of family and friends, and his ability to make anyone who walked through the door of his home to feel like part of the family. He had an incredible sense of humor and enjoyed laughing with everyone around him. He spent many countless hours golfing, fishing, hunting, cutting wood, refinishing furniture, casino hopping and playing Pinochle and Cribbage with his family and friends.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday March 19, 2015 at the funeral home with Rev. Bryan Balasa officiating. Following a social gathering, burial will take place in Fort Custer National Cemetery at 2:30 PM on Thursday. Memorials may be directed to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation at www.pdf.org, and envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com
