Richard L. Butler

Richard Lewis Butler was born the son of Tom and Blanche King Butler, in Charter Oak, Iowa, on December 7, 1928. He died at St. Lukes Regional Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa, on October 28, 2012, at the age of eighty-three.
Richard grew up in the Charter Oak area. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1946. He received his training at Great Lakes, Illinois. Most of his tour was spent overseas serving in China, where he specialized as an Amphibious Tractor Crewman. After his discharge he was employed by his brother, Robert, at Butler Motors.
Richard was baptized and confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church by Rev. Schroeder. On February 20,1949, he was united in marriage to Lois Neddermeyer and they were blessed with the birth of three sons and one daughter and also raised a grandson. The early years of their marriage were spent farming near Charter Oak. They purchased the grocery store from Loiss parents. Lois managed the grocery store while Richard was employed at the Lloyd Keim filling station until he started working for the Iowa Public Service Company, which he did for 30 years.
Richard was very active in sports. He played many years on the mens ball team. He was very instrumental in building the local football field. He spent many hours after work to complete it. Richard was known as one of the most knowledgeable historians of facts about the Charter Oak community.
Richard was an active fireman many years and served as Fire Chief for several years. He was a member of the Community Club, American Legion, V.F.W. Club and served as Financial Secretary at St. Johns Lutheran Church.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law; one brother, Robert Butler; four sisters-in-law Gene Butler, Marlene Ahrenholtz, Nancy Burgdorf and Verdean Neddermeyer; five brothers-in-law, Les Krueger, Ralph Larson, Robert Hawley, Earl Lowns and Chris Neddermeyer Jr; and one grandson, Raymond Gossage.
He is survived by his wife, Lois of 63 years; one daughter, Becky Meadows and husband, Keith of Soldier; three sons, Terry and Janet Butler of Iowa City; Tom and Cindy Butler of Denison; Brian of Charter Oak; and special grandson, Ted Butler and wife, Kelly of Charter Oak; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Blaine Butler and wife, Lois of Denison; and one sister, Ila Krueger of Denison; other relatives and many friends.