Don E. Butler

Don was born on May 4, 1939 in Springfield, the son of William and Eleanor Mae Redford Butler.

He grew up in Findlay, IL during the 1950s. Don spent his youth years working on a farm, running a paper route, setting pins at a bowling alley, and developing a love for cars. He married soon after graduating high school and spent 6 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard as an engine mechanic and flight line crew chief. Don retired after 42 years with the State of IL as the Chief Physical Plant Engineer at the Capitol Complex where he was in charge of the maintenance and engineering. He also spent 42 years volunteering as an EMT and as a firefighter.

He built his first go-cart at age 13 and powered it with a Maytag washing machine engine. Don started racing as soon as he had something with wheels. Over the years he raced bicycles, motor scooters, cars, motorcycles, and boats. Don also built two homes and several buildings, maintained a herd of cattle, and made guns in his spare time. He was a member of various organizations in and around the Chatham and Springfield communities.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Butler of Indiana; one son, Gregg (wife, Sandy) of Kokomo, IN; daughter, Cathy (husband, Bill) Mann of Leesburg, VA; four grandchildren, Damon Butler, Cameron Butler, Alexander Mann, and William Mann; and 3 great-grandchildren.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2021, at Butler Funeral Home-Chatham, 8855 State Rt. 4, Chatham. At 3:45 p.m. a walk-through will take place by the Chatham Fire Department. At 6:45 p.m. the Court # 20 Royal Order of Jesters will perform a walk-through, followed by the Masonic Rites at 7:00 p.m. Due to COVID restrictions masks will be required and there will be limited capacity. Family and friends may view Friday’s ceremonies via livestream at here.

Funeral Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2021, at Butler Funeral Home-Chatham with Rev. David L. Wells officiating. Burial will follow at Chatham Memorial Cemetery with military honors provided by the Department of Defense. Due to COVID restrictions masks will be required and there will be limited capacity. Family and friends may view Saturday’s ceremonies via livestream here and here.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 4400 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110.