Duane Butrick, 85

Duane Edwin Butrick, 85, of Jones, died peacefully Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, one day before his 86th birthday, in Brentwood of Niles, in the comfort of his family’s presence.
He was born Jan. 29, 1931 in Dowagiac, the third of 12 children of Dearl and Dorothy (Bannow) Butrick. He married Shirley Virginia Whitehead June 12, 1954 in Dowagiac. She preceded him in death in January 2013, after 58 years of marriage. He was also preceded by his parents; four sisters, Evelyn Butrick, Darlene Butrick, Orabelle “Midge” Craig, Norma Butrick; and four brothers, Merle Butrick, Durell Butrick, Rayburn Butrick, Bob Butrick.
Duane and his wife, Shirley, had a passionate love for each other, and they are now together again. They had owned two restaurants, Blue Bird in Jones, and Blue Bird II in Niles. The family teases that Duane had to get his own restaurant because Shirley didn’t want to share her spatula. They are only now able to say that Dad may have been the better cook, but they would never have said it in front of Mom.
Duane will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by three daughters, Lynette Pompey of South Bend, Ind., Lori (Bill) Pipher of Jones, Lisa Binns of Naples, Fla.; five sons, Randy (Candy) Butrick of Battle Creek, Dana (Kathy) Butrick of Jones, Alan (Michelle) Butrick of Jones, Kirk (Mary Marriott) Butrick of Jones, Timothy (Jamie Willis) Butrick of Jones; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brothers, Larry (Alice) Butrick, Gerald (Carolyn) Butrick; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 N. Broadway Street, Cassopolis. The funeral will be held Thursday, Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Reverend Mike Owen officiating.
Mr. Butrick will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac.
The family prefers contributions in Duane’s memory be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter, 350 E. Michigan Avenue, Suite 20, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.