Donna Mae Butt

Donna Mae (Wyckoff) Butt, 96, passed away peacefully on February 20th, 2026 at Johnstown Pointe in Johnstown, Ohio. Donna was born on July 16, 1929 in Alexandria, Ohio to Edward and Hazel (Meadows) Wyckoff and became the “little sister” of Jeanie and Billy. Donna was raised in Alexandria, Martel and Johnstown, Ohio as the family moved due to Ed’s job with the Railroad.

Donna’s childhood years were happy as she grew up in a close knit family which extended beyond the five Wyckoff’s. She was active in her Church as a youth and loved spending time outdoors swimming, sledding, ice skating, and exploring. Donna’s love of animals and especially dogs developed during this time.

Little did Donna know how fortuitous their move to Johnstown would be as her future husband Dick Butt lived on the same street, several houses down. Dick and Donna met and became friends but as Donna said “we were not close”. Donna graduated from Johnstown High in 1947 and Dick in 1949. After graduation Dick worked for the Johnstown Elevator and Donna worked at Ohio State Life in Columbus. A “love” that they both shared is what united them: dancing. Dick and Donna would travel with their friends to Buckeye Lake and hit the dance floor with music provided by that era’s big bands including Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. As told to her grandchildren by Donna this time of “dancing the night away” turned into a “beautiful and loving courtship”. Dick and Donna were married on August 4th, 1954 at the Church of Ascension, the Catholic Church in Johnstown. Their honeymoon was a trip to Niagara Falls. (Which they would return to in the mid 60’s with their daughter Pam and niece Cindy Jane. Kim stayed home with her Aunt Margie whom she did not let comb her very long hair. Upon Donna’s return from the trip, faced with the ordeal of getting Kim’s hair finally untangled she had had enough. Donna called her hair salon and within a week Kim had a darling new (very) short hair style!)

Dick and Donna settled into married life living in a small upstairs apartment in Johnstown. Donna would recall they were “happy and snug as could be” and “enjoyed a fun social life with our friends”. Their first daughter, Pamela Sue was born in 1956 and they moved to a house on Pratt Street. Their second daughter, Kimberly Jo arrived in 1959. Donna became a stay at home Mom with the birth of Pam. Dick started to work for Shell Oil and then the Marathon Oil company. Dick later became an independent fuel oil distributer and started Richard Butt Petroleum. The family moved into their “forever home” on Buena Vista Dr, Johnstown in 1963.

Many words could be written about the wonderful childhood Dick and Donna provided for their girls. Donna was an active volunteer during Pam and Kim’s years attending Oregon Elementary and a leader with their Brownie and Girl Scout troops. Summers were spent at the Johnstown Swimming pool. Winters were spent sled riding on Suicide Hill or skating on the frozen ponds in the Johnstown area where Donna could be found enjoying both of these activities with Pam, Kim and their friends. Dick and Donna’s home was always welcoming and the place of many memorable family and friends gatherings.

Donna was involved in the “Colic to College” CCL group. When hosting a story book character themed party for the CCL (she went as Mary Poppins) Donna convinced Dick to build a slide down their basement stairs for the party. Attendee’s accessed the basement via the slide. To say this was a hit amongst the party goers is putting it lightly. Pam and Kim cried when the slide was removed. Donna had a lovely singing voice and was an active member in the Johnstown United Methodist Church choir. This lead to her being asked to sing at weddings and local musical productions. Donna belonged to the “Choralere’s”, a woman’s singing group founded by Elinor Wyatt, a well known piano instructor in Johnstown. The group members all lived in Johnstown and preformed locally. Donna loved singing with this group and the memories made during their time together. And dancing. Dick and Donna continued their love of dancing for many years of their marriage which included instruction with Bill Howard of the Bill Howard Dance Studio that led to fun evenings out practicing and perfecting what they had learned.

A few words have to be written about Donna’s love for animals and most especially dogs. Dick and Donna raised five dachshunds: Trinka, Clyde, Pete, Abbie Mae and Scooter. The family never questioned Donna’s love for them over the dogs….most of the time.

Once Pam and Kim were married and their four grandchildren: Jimmie, Matt, Katie and Spencer entered the picture Dick and Donna’s focus turned to their grandchildren. Papa Dick and Da were wonderful, loving Grandparents. In 1981, the year the first grandchild was born, they built a swimming pool in their backyard. Many, happy, fun, special family memories are centered around the summers spent “in the pool”. Donna traveled multiple times across the country to see Pam and her family with Dick accompanying her as his work would allow. They never let distance get in the way of seeing Matt and Katie. They spent untold hours with Kim’s children, Jimmie and Spencer babysitting, and attending school and sporting events. Donna made sure Holidays and Birthday’s were special for her Grandchildren. She lived to see her Grandchildren grow up, become married, attending their weddings. She saw them become parents and she met her five precious great-grandson’s. Donna could, at the age of 96 look at their picture and name each of them. Da was the best.

Dick’s sudden and very unexpected death in March of 2008 was devastating for Donna and left her heart broken. He was the love of her life and husband of 54 years. It was a loss that up until her death she felt everyday. They are now dancing together, once again.

Donna was preceded in death by her beloved husband Dick, parents Ed and Hazel Wyckoff, brothers Billy and Emory Wyckoff, her dear sister and partner in some very memorable adventures Jeanie Montgomery, and son-in-law Mike Newsome.

Donna is survived by her loving family: daughters Pam Newsome of Mukilteo, Washington, and Kim Francescon (Tony) of Punta Gorda, Florida; Grandchildren Jimmie (Kelly) Miller, Spencer Miller, Columbus, Ohio, Matt (Erin) Newsome, Everett, Washington and Katie (Chase) Mattison, Marysville, Washington; Great grandson’s Calvin, Miles and Beau Newsome and Camden and Parker Mattison; and her dear Nieces and Nephews, their Spouses and Children.

Donna loved The Ohio State Buckeyes, McDonald Frappes, Whit’s shredded chicken sandwiches, and a good thin crust pizza! She was a warm, loving, kind, tender hearted person with a wonderful sense of humor. She will be so very missed.

Family and friends may call from 3-5 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026 at CROUSE-KAUBER-FRALEY FUNERAL HOME, 225 N. Main St., Johnstown, OH 43031. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Matt Van Winkle officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Licking County Humane Society, 825 Thornwood Drive, Heath, OH 43056 in Donna’s memory. If giving on line, please click tab “give in honor/memory” so the Family may acknowledge your donation. Thank-you.