Philip C. Butler, 96, Iola, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, at Allen County Hospital.
Phil was born Aug. 26, 1916, in Iola, the son of Levi Franklin and Anna Jane (Bowers) Butler. He started school in Yates Center before the family moved to Iola by covered wagon. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant and awarded two bronze stars.
Phil married Marjorie Gilliland and they had one daughter before they divorced. On Oct. 5, 1942, he married Emma M. (Dowell) Owen in San Antonio, Texas. After he completed his service in WWII, they made their home in Kansas City. In 1949 they moved to a farm north of Gas and in 1952 they moved to their current home northwest of Iola. Emma preceded him in death Feb. 1, 2002.
Phil worked as a machinist for Fritz Auto in Iola for almost 40 years. He was a member of the Iola American Legion and the LaHarpe VFW.
Survivors are four daughters, Vivian Michael, Margaret Robb, Judy Helman and husband Don and JoAnn Butler, all of Iola; 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and 25 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sons-in-law, Sterlin Michael and John Robb; three grandchildren; five brothers, Donald, Robert, Charley, Forrest and Glenn; and five sisters, Phyllis Raney, Mae Hastings, Betty Finley, Hazel Adkins and Doris Gervais.
Visitation is from 1 to 2 p.m. today at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel, Iola, prior to the funeral service at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Iola. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Philip Butler
