John C. Butterfield, Sr.

SHERIDAN – John C. Butterfield, Sr., 92, of rural Sheridan, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Pleasant View.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 17, 2014 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Pastor Peter Ward, pastor of Pleasant View, officiating.  Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park with full military rites by the Ottawa Veterans Group.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. with Masonic Rites at 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be friends and neighbors, Fred Barber, Randy Rosengren, John Duffy, Jerry Enger, Jim Temple, Wayne Ketcham, Steve Sampson and Greg Hanley.  Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Stinson, Stephen Gates, and Samuel D. Denney.

John was born April 20, 1922 in Ottawa, the son of John Charles and Cora (Wright) Butterfield.  He married Elizabeth “Betty” Story May 17, 1953 in Ottawa.  She preceded him in death December 10, 2011.  John is survived by one brother, Wayne (Jean) Butterfield of Glen Ellyn, IL; his children, John Butterfield Jr. of Madison, TN, Kent (Marsha) Butterfield of Ottawa, David (Nicki) Butterfield of Sheridan, Dr. Mary Butterfield of Nashville, TN, and Dr. Martha Butterfield of Brentwood, TN; his grandchildren, Jennifer (Stephen) Gates, Laura Butterfield, Megan Butterfield, Amanda Butterfield and fiancé, Jake Messer, and Samuel and Katherine Denney; step grandchildren, Steven (Amanda) Rud, Lee Rud, and Jessica Yasm; step great grandchildren, Parker Rud and Zachary Tunget; and many caring friends from Pleasant View.

John graduated in 1940 from Ottawa Township High School and Northwestern University in 1949, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.  John proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. John was in sales from 1949 through 1951.  He then took up farming in 1951 until his retirement in 1986.  He was a member of Harding United Methodist Church where he was their organist for over 35 years.  He also played for various Masonic events and school solo and ensemble contests.  John was a member of Occidental Lodge #40 A.F. & A.M. in Ottawa, where he served as Worshipful Master and Lodge Organist, Shabbona Chapter #37, Oriental Council #13, Ottawa Commandery #10, Order of the Eastern Star, Freeport Consistory, and the Ottawa American Legion Post 33.  He served on the Serena Grade School and Community Unit District #2 school boards for 17 years.  He also served on the Serena Township Board for 32 years, serving 11 of those years as supervisor.  John cherished his time spent with his family and grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Pleasant View Chapel Fund or VITAS Hospice.