Richard V. Butler

Richard V. Butler, 92, of Lake in the Hills, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 3, 2025. He was born on January 14, 1932, in Elmwood Park, Illinois. His mother, Katherine (nee Losee) Butler, and father, Thomas Butler were from St. Joseph, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Thomas Butler, and sister, Thelma (nee Butler) Peters. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Joanne (née Ruffatto) Butler; his daughter, Shari (née Butler) Fitzgerald, and her husband Edward; his son, Darrell Butler, and his wife Marci; his cherished grandchildren, Rachel Butler, Lauren Butler, Brian Butler, Eion Fitzgerald, and Conor Fitzgerald; and his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

After high school at Lane Tech and Leyden Community, Richard served proudly in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954, based at Rhein-Main near Frankfurt, Germany. Richard was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.), where he enjoyed spending time. He was a hardworking cold header for over 16 years and enjoyed the same number of years at Knaack Mfg. in Crystal Lake where he worked with his daughter and son-in-law. He instilled the merits of hard work and dependability in his children. 

His favorite pastimes included doing crafts and playing bingo, cards and gambling with Joanne, spending quality time with his grandchildren, indulging his passion for Master Gardening, and watching football. He leaves behind a legacy of love, warmth, and wonderful memories that will be forever cherished by his family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 12, at Davenport Funeral Home at 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, from 3pm-7pm. The visitation will continue at the funeral home Monday, January 13, from 9am, until a service at 10am.  A graveside service and military honors will follow at Crystal Lake Memorial Park..

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Richard's memory to Honor Flight of Chicago https://www.honorflightchicago.org/. In 2019, he was honored with a flight to Washington DC with other veterans which was a highlight of his later years. 

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.