Obituary of Ethel Butler

Ethel Lucille Butler, born April 30, 1916, to Frank and Bessie (Winnie) McGee Knepper, died February 25, 2014, at Rolling Hills Manor, Zion, IL. Mrs. Butler was born and raised in Zion under the Voliva regime, graduating salutatorian from Zion High School. She became a beautician and worked in Boston, MA, for a short time before marrying Maurice L. Butler on November 20, 1937. After her family was born, she became bookkeeper/payroll at Bicket Enterprises in Zion, later working in the accounting departments of First National Bank in Waukegan and Home Savings & Loan in Waukegan. Mrs. Butler was well-known for her delicious pies and home-baked bread and was proficient in crochet and macramé. All who knew her will remember her tenacity in overcoming hardships in life and meeting challenges head on, and for her independent and spirited energy. Mrs. Butler is survived by three sons and one daughter, Richard (Martha) and Robert (Jean) of Winthrop Harbor, Sondra (Jess) Hinkle of Winthrop Harbor, James (Judith) of Marenisco, MI; grandchildren Michael Butler, Valerie Lampinen and Maureen Niedenthal of Illinois, Lisa Gurman of Iowa, Jess Hinkle of Rhode Island, Rhonda Hinkle of New York; nine great-grandchildren; four nieces and four nephews; and sister-in-law Doris Sedgwick. She is predeceased by her husband Maurice L. Butler in 2009; her parents, Frank and Bessie Knepper; parents-in law Arthur and Dolly Butler; two older brothers Kenneth (Carrie) and Leslie (Mae and Myrtle) Knepper; sister-in-law Hazel Butler; brother-in-law Laurel (Rose) Butler. Memorial Service will be held Friday, February 28 at 2:00 pm at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. Visitation held at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Orphans of the Storm, 2200 Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods, IL 60015, is appreciated.