Obituary of Maurice Butler

Maurice Lyle Butler, 92, of Rolling Hills Place, Zion, died Sunday, August 23. Born May 19, 1917, in Minneapolis, MN (moving to Zion in the 1930s) to Arthur and Adeline "Dollie" (nee Potter) Butler. Preceded in death by brother, Laurel; and sister, Hazel Butler. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Ethel L. (nee Knepper) Butler; daughter, Sondra K. (Jess) Hinkle; sons, Richard M. (Marty), Robert B. (Jean) Butler of Winthrop Harbor, James B. (Judi) Butler of Marenisco, MI; and sister, Doris Sedgwick of Bayonet Point, FL. He is further survived by grandchildren, Valerie Lampinen, Michael Butler, Jess Hinkle, Rhonda Welsh, Maureen Butler and Lisa Gurman, together with seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Early jobs were with the Zion Cookie Factory, Friend & Eckert's Men's Wear, and Knox Real Estate, all in Zion: He was especially proud of his time with the Zion Volunteer Fire Department, fighting the Zion Department Store fire, which destroyed a good section of the business district, and later, when the College Building burned down. During this time he was employed by Johnson Motors in Waukegan, and later a lieutenant with the Zion Police Department. to 1954 he became a deputy with the Lake County Sheriffs Department, serving at times as head jailer and from 1974 through 1976 as chief investigator, at which time he retired. Special interests and hobbies included playing the harmonica, fishing trips with the Butler Boys, wood carvings in intricate detail, and his unique wooden walking canes; he was an avid reader and loved writing including his memoirs. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home.