Jane W. Butt

Jane Williams Butt, 83, passed away on Monday, April 23, 2007, at Lakeland Regional Medical Health System in St. Joseph. Mrs. Butt was born Jane Frances Williams on August 27, 1923, in Wetumpka, AL, the daughter of Benjamin Otis and Janie Holt Williams. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. A memorial service will be held Thursday afternoon, April 26, at 2:00 P.M. at St. Joseph United Methodist Church, 3003 Leco Ct. St. Joseph, with Rev. Wayne Babcock officiating. Memorials may be made to either the church or to the charity of one’s choice in memory of Mrs. Butt. Mrs. Butt attended Wetumpka (AL) High School where she was Salutatorian of her class, a first place winner in a state dramatic reading contest, and winner of the United Daughters of the Confederacy college scholarship. She attended the University of Alabama’s School of Commerce and Business, enrolling in 1941. In June of 1943 she married Lt. Jimmy L. Butt in the historic Old Post Chapel, Fort Sill, OK, and accompanied him to various posts to which he was assigned. At Camp Van Dorn, MS, she worked as a civilian in the accounting office of the army post where her husband was stationed. When Lt. Butt was sent overseas, she moved to Auburn, AL where she established a home so that they could resume their education following the war. While there she worked in the production and marketing office of the USDA but still found time to write her soldier husband everyday. Following the war, Mrs. Butt continued working while her husband attended graduate school at Auburn University. During this time, she gave birth to the couple’s three children. They were active in the Auburn United Methodist Church. Mr. Butt remained with the University in research until his acceptance as Chief Staff Officer with the American Society of Agriculture Engineers, St. Joseph, in 1956. Mrs. Butt has been active in the First United Methodist Church of St. Joseph since the family moved to the Twin Cities. She served for several years as superintendent of the Primary Department and was a member of the Esther Circle. She was also active in Monday Musical, Antiquarians, past president of the Lianas Club, and served as a volunteer at the Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph. While her children were in school, she was active in the Fairplain and Benton Harbor PTA’s. Mrs. Butt was also involved in the national meetings of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers with her husband serving as hostess for spouses of the society’s presidents and board members. Her first love was her family, but she also enjoyed flower gardening, traveling, music, and hosting family and friends as long as her health allowed it. Mrs. Butt is survived by her husband of 64 years, Jimmy; her three children, Janie (David) Berry of Novi, MI, Maryanne of Lansing, Jim (Rebecca), Jr. of De Witt, MI; and by her six grandchildren, Jake (Jessica), Benjamin, and Marney Berry, and Sarah, Emily, and Katie Butt.