Earl Lavern Butler

Earl Lavern Butler, 82, of Newton died on Friday, August 14, 2020, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. A private family service will be held at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 19. A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, August 18, at the funeral home. The family will not be present for the visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials to local veteran’s funds may be left at the funeral home.

Earl, the son of Homer and Wilma (Wearmouth) Butler, was born on February 27, 1938 in Newton.  He graduated from Newton High School in 1956. Earl was united in marriage with Marilyn Stewart on July 3, 1958 at the Metz Church in rural Newton.  He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1961-1963 and then continued in the Army Reserves until 1967.  Earl and Marilyn were blessed with one son, Mark. While Mark was growing up Earl enjoyed coaching him in baseball and flag football. Earl worked in shipping and receiving at Thomberts for 43 years. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and a past member of the Moose Lodge.  Earl was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. He loved his annual trips to Canada to fish.  Earl also was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.  He never knew a stranger and was always very loyal and supportive. 

Earl is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marilyn Butler of Newton; son, Mark (Jane) Butler of Newton; his sisters-in-law, Rosie Butler of Newton and MaryLou (Tony) Denato of Marshalltown; brothers-in-law, Gary (Kay) Stewart of Jacksonville, Florida, Larry (Peney) Stewart of Newton, Chuck (Sherry) Stewart of Altoona, and Bill Stewart of Newton; and his many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Ruth Butler; brother, Donnie Butler; and his beloved grand-dog, Smokey. 

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