Virgil A. Butler Obituary (1928

Virgil A. Butler, 93, of Heyworth, Illinois, passed away Monday, April 11, 2022, at Westminster Village in Bloomington, Illinois. Visitation will be held Friday, April 15, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Heyworth, Illinois, with Masonic Services prior to at 4:30 p.m. His funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 16, 2022, at The United Church of Heyworth with Pastor Carl Johnston officiating. Burial will be in Randolph Township Memorial Cemetery, Heyworth, Illinois, with military rites accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heyworth Public Library; Douglas-Hart Nature Center-The Whiteside Garden, 2204 DeWitt Avenue East, Mattoon, IL 61938; The United Church of Heyworth Food Pantry; or Heyworth FFA. Virgil was born September 20, 1928, to Otto and Verna Elizabeth (Wagner) Butler in Forrest, Illinois. He married Marilyn Whiteside on June 17, 1956, in Moline, Illinois. She passed away April 14, 2016. He is survived by his son, Jeff (Pat) Butler of Aurora, Illinois; daughter, Beth Butler of Heyworth, Illinois; grandchildren, Kevin (Kate) Butler of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Kate Butler of Cincinnati, Ohio; brother, Richard (Linda) Farr of Normal, Illinois; and sister, Rita Schuldt of Tinley Park, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his sister, Anna Mae Grove. Virgil was the first Eagle Scout honored in the Orland Park, IL troop. He attended Blackburn college and graduated from the University of Illinois. Virgil taught one year in Paxton, Illinois, before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. In 1954 after being discharged from the military, Virgil started teaching at Heyworth High School until his retirement in 1983. At Heyworth he taught agriculture, industrial arts, and was the FFA advisor. He also worked many summers for Funk's G Hybrids. After retirement, Virgil and Marilyn owned and operated VI-MAR ceramics for more than 20 years. Virgil was a member of The United Church of Heyworth for 64 years where he served in many capacities including being a key volunteer for their food pantry. He was a long-time member of the Heyworth and then Bloomington Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed working in his yard and garden. Virgil was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and devoted friend who will be deeply missed.