Jerald Eugene Butcher

Jerald Eugene Butcher, 92, of Bloomington died Thursday, June 4, 2015 in Meadowood Health Care Center. He was born July 15, 1922 in Charleston, IL to Elbert Butcher and Needa Oclea Mapes Butcher. He retired from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana where he worked as a plasterer and drywall finisher for over 30 years. On July 3rd, 1948 Jerald married Marjorie Hardy in Bloomington Indiana, and she survives.

Other survivors include his daughter, Thea Sargent and her husband Jeff of Orlando, FL, two grandsons, Bradley Justin Sargent of Orlando, FL and Christopher Chase Sargent of Charlotte, NC; a sister, Donna Oard of Ellettsville; 3 sisters-in-law, Betty Chambers, Ruth Griggs and Joan Long; two brothers-in-law, Guy Hardy and Roger Hardy; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Nora Innes; and two brother-in-laws, Bob Innes and Frank Oard.

Jerald was a regular attender of Sherwood Oaks Christian Church until his health prevented him from attending he was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans. Jerald loved traveling to Orlando, Florida with his wife, Marjorie to spend time with his daughter, Thea and two grandsons, Brad and Chase watching them grow up and play sports. Other hobbies included painting pictures, riding motorcycles with his wife and friends, singing and playing guitar and entertaining at nursing homes with a band.

Jerald was a decorated WWII Army Veteran, inducted into the U.S. Army at Ft Benjamin Harrison on December 12, 1942. After training he found himself on a ship heading overseas, after a brief layover in England he went to Utah Beach in France and on to the St. Nazaire-Lorient, France areas. Moving on from there he went to Nenning, Germany, serving on the front lines under General George S. Patton with the Third Army, 94th Division. It was there that Jerald was severely wounded pulling 5 other soldiers to safety. He underwent surgery in a field hospital in France to remove shrapnel from his heart and chest. Jerald was later returned to the United States where he was treated at Wakeman General in Indiana for severe frost bite. For his bravery and service, Jerald was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

Private services were held at Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home and burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.