Obituaries

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 94, died Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at home. He was born March 3, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Jess Mervis & Elizabeth (Cowan) Butler.

Larry graduated from Northwestern High School in Detroit, and served in the United States Army. He worked for the Ford Motor Company in Body Engineering as a wood model maker for over 30 years, and retired in 1994. Larry was a longtime member of St. Rita Catholic Church in Brooklyn, MI, and had recently attended St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea. Larry loved driving his pontoon boat on Lake Columbia as captain for family and friends. He enjoyed the wintertime at Lakeshore Villas in Lake Wales, Florida. He also enjoyed golf and woodworking. Larry was a quiet, gentle, man who liked to tell stories and reminisce.

On May 12, 1950, he married the love of his life, Margaret May Graham who preceded him in death in 2007. He is survived by his daughters, Linda A. (Bill) Cregan of Chelsea and Bonita Springs, FL, Sandra J. (Rick) Riley of Dexter; sons, David J. (Kathryn) Butler of Commerce Twp., Michael J. (Debra) Butler of Commerce Twp., James L. (Eileen) Butler of Elmira, MI, Robert S. Butler of Livonia;14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Buccos.

A memorial service will be held at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, Saturday, April 22, at 3:00 pm with Deacon Tom Franklin officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 pm. Dinner will follow the service at the Dexter Pub, 8114 Main Street, in Dexter.

Interment will take place at St. Rite Catholic Church in Brooklyn, Michigan at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Silver Maples of Chelsea Employee Scholarships Fund, Silver Maples Development Office, 100 Silver Maples Dr., Chelsea, MI 48118.


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