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BORN
1961
DIED
2017
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James Butler Obituary
CHILLICOTHE - James W. (JB) Butler, 56, of Chillicothe passed away on Friday, December 1, 2017, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
James was born on August 31, 1961, in Minot, ND, to James and Colleen (Shane) Butler. He married Diane "DeeDee" L. Mooney on November 29, 1986, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Chillicothe.
He is survived by his wife, DeeDee Butler of Chillicothe; three sons, Jack (Ali), Colin (Lauren) and Brendan; two grandchildren, Nora and Susie Butler; three sisters, Kathy (Mike) Peterson, Meg Becher and Jane Butler; and his parents, James and Colleen Butler.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Tim Butler.
James was a physical therapist for over 20 years with OSF St. Francis Healthcare.
James was a parishioner of St. Edward Catholic Church in Chillicothe, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 8020. He was an athlete and proudly coached his sons in hockey, Chilli Dawgs Wrestling and St. Edward Soccer. He was a member of the University of North Dakota Alumni Association. His spirit and personality were larger than life; he knew no strangers, only friends.
A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at 10 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church in Chillicothe, officiated by Msgr. Michael Bliss. A visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe. A rosary will be prayed prior to the visitation. Burial will be held at St. Joseph-Mooney Cemetery.
James' online obituary may be viewed at www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Butler
Sponsored by Weber-Hurd Funeral Home.
Diane Thiem
April 18, 2018
I have know JB since kindergarten. I have not seen him since college, but have thought about him through the years. Very sorry to hear of his passing.
Janni Kahn
December 10, 2017
Sweet DeeDee and family,
I was out of town or would have been to the visitation to hug you and tell you how very sorry I was to hear the news about JB's passing. There are no words to ease your pain but please know I am praying for you and your entire family as you go through your journey of grieving this terrible loss. My heartfelt sympathies go out to you.
Love and prayers,
Janni Kahn
December 8, 2017
Dear Dee Dee and family, prayers and condolences to you. He was such a great man.
- Marina Harris-Hardaway
Anita Elwell
December 7, 2017
Dear Dee Dee and family,
I was so saddened to hear of the passing of your husband/father, Jim. He always had a smile on his face and a robust and friendly demeanor. I will be praying for you and your family, that Jesus Christ lifts you up with comfort and strength throughout this sad time and the years to come.
Sincerely,
Anita Elwell
Cindy Gapp
December 6, 2017
Blessings of peace to your family. I went to high school with JB and like so many of our classmates, I will remember him for his infectious smile, his heartwarming personality, and for him just being one of those friends you could always count on. He was such a good man and its quite evident that he was even a better family man to all of you. My sympathy and love to each and every one of you.
Cindy Everson Gapp
Brian and Jean Briggerman
December 6, 2017
So sorry to hear about Jim. Please accept our deepest condolences.
December 6, 2017
Dear Dee Dee and Family,
I am so sorry that I am not able to be with you today. I have so many wonderful memories of Jim ~ he always had a way of brightening every day and making me smile ~ his face lighting up each time I saw him. Please know that Tom and I send you all our love and deepest sympathy. We will treasure our memories of Jim and we are so thankful that God placed him and you in our lives. We have been so blessed through your kindness through the years.
Sending you much love,
Diane and Tom Carroll and family
David Aamot
December 5, 2017
Jim Butler Families, Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and prayers. I first met Jim in Junior High School. I always looked to his leadership and reflected on him later years as well. He was a very kind and caring person. Just a real joy to be around. I always thought how proud his parents and family must be to have such a wonderful son and brother. I will truly miss his large grin, laugh and especially his kindness. To all of his families Bless You.
Thoughts and Prayers. We will miss you Jim.
David
Fr. Giles Gilbert, OFM Conv.
December 5, 2017
Dee Dee and Family, please accept my heartfelt condolences and prayers upon the death of JB. He was a man of faith and a great inspiration to me. I feel privileged to have given him Holy Communion so shortly before his death. I will miss his characteristic smile and good humor very much. May the Lord give you consolation as our prayers accompany him into eternal life.
December 5, 2017
Dee Dee and family, Michael and I were so shocked and deeply saddened by JB's passing. We have very fond memories of JB, when we lived a few houses down from you, and I have great memories of him as a co-worker at OSF Homecare. He was always thoughtful, extremely generous, and genuinely funny. You and the boys are, and will continue to be, in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers. He will be missed by so many.
Yasmina Kulauzovic and Michael Dalrymple
December 5, 2017
Dee Dee and family, Our deepest condolences. We are so sorry for your loss. May God be with you through this difficult time. Our prayers are with you! Tony and Angela (DeKeyser) Prayne
December 5, 2017
Dee Dee & family,
We were deeply saddened by the news of JB's passing. Our heart felt condolences for your entire family but especially Dee Dee to you & your boys.
Tony & Molly Russell
Don Olson
December 4, 2017
Dear Diane and Family, Kim and I were shocked and saddened to learn of JB's passing. Even though we didn't stay as connected as each of us would have liked, he was frequently in my thoughts and reflections to others. We shared so much joy during our college years and beyond. I think in many ways, our friendship shaped who we became as people, and we each shared some of the other with those around us.
Please know that our family is with you in thought and prayer in this time of sadness. Unfortunately, we will be unable to attend services. Perhaps we can connect sometime soon over the phone. We wish you all the best. God Bless.
Don Olson
Fargo, ND
701-213-2869
Victor Ames
December 4, 2017
Deedee, My condolences to you and your family with the passing of JB, who I have had the pleasure to know since the late 1970's when he wrestled for my father, Vince Ames. JB was always a tower of a man with a great attitude on life and couldn't utter a sentence without a laugh, which caused others to laugh as well! I was fortunate to be inducted with JB in 2003 and was proud to stand next to such a great man. I have nothing but fond memories of JB and know he is probably making someone laugh right now in the heavens. Sincerely, Victor Ames
vince ames
December 4, 2017
JB's Family,
Shocked, sad, hurt, loss, feeling from the news of JB's passing. What a great caring husband, father, friend and athlete. JB was a wrestler at Grand Forks Central, a two time state placer, an international wrestler, a coach with the Central team.
JB kept in touch with his roots in Grand Forks with periodic visits and phone calls. He will be missed for his smile and kindness to us all.
From the North Country
Vince Ames
former wrestling coach
Grand Forks Central
December 4, 2017
Family of JB,
Shocked at news of JB's passing, I knew JB since he was at valley junior high, I had the honor of coaching him at Grand Forks Central high school where he was a two time finalist in ND state wrestling tournament. He traveled overseas to wrestle and was a coach with us at GF Central. We have kept in touch over the years. What a great athlete, family man and friend. What a loss to so many.
From the north country.
Coach Ames
Grand Forks Central
Dawn Johnson-Taylor
December 4, 2017
Jim helped a vast amount of people with physical therapy or with any other needs. He was one of the nicest and fun loving people I've met and worked with.He will be missed daily by his misson partners.
Maryann Perrone
December 4, 2017
My most heartfelt condolences for the passing of JB. Jim was my brother Pat's dear friend and wrestling mate, and I knew him well in high school. I have such fond memories of him, his vivacious presence and unique laughter I can hear it now. May God be with you all in this time of immeasurable grief, my prayers are with you.
JB Butler, Pat Perron, and Damon York in 1979
Jeff Welsh
December 3, 2017
On behalf of GFC Wrestling and Grand Forks Central High School, I would like to express my condolences on the passing of JB. I was fortunate to meet JB when he returned to GFC in 2003 to be inducted into the GFC Wrestling Hall of Fame. He made the event a wonderful experience for everyone that attended. He was a great man and will be missed.
Jeff Welsh
GFC Wrestling Coach
Lisa Hagemann
December 3, 2017
DeeDee,
There are no words that come easy. I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family.
Patti and Brad Keffeler
December 3, 2017
It's hard to find the right words to say, I'm so sorry to hear this news. God bless you Dee Dee, and your beautiful family.
December 3, 2017
Dee, Patti and I are so sorry about JB, as you know, we loved him the day he showed up in Peoria. He had such a great way with people-always a genuine smile and kind word. I loved played basketball and lifting weights with he and JC. He will be greatly missed, know our prayers are with you and your family. Blessings, Randy and Patti Simmons
Diane (Mundy) Otto
December 3, 2017
So very sorry, Deedee and family. Although I did not personally get the opportunity to know JB, I have heard such great things from family and friends. Please be assured that you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. Your grief has no time limit, so do not feel bad if your sadness lasts longer than some people think it should. They probably have not known such a loss themselves.
December 3, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family may you find comfort in the God of all comfort during this difficult time.
Janie & Jeff King
December 3, 2017
DeeDee & family,
So sorry for your loss of JB. You have our deepest sympathy.
Tanja Lutman
December 2, 2017
I am so sorry for the loss of Jim. I loved working with Jim and his patients loved him. They prepared meals for him and he joined them at the table often. He hugged and kissed the ladies with kindness and shook the hands of the men. He was always good to me. I will miss you Jim
Toni Allsup
December 2, 2017
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. God bless your family.
Jack Gibson
December 2, 2017
Deedee,I was so sorry to hear this news..I am not going to be in town this week for the funeral, I just want to send my regrets and to say I'm sorry for your loss.
Jack Gibson
December 2, 2017
Our love and prayers to the Butler family. Tom and Laura Rohman
Rachel Huenefeld
December 2, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Susan Drissi
December 1, 2017
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. God bless and comfort you during this very difficult time. My heart is with your family.
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