John Ulice Butel
July 2, 1929 – Feb. 15, 2020
OVERBROOK — John Ulice Butel, Overbrook, died Feb. 15, 2020, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook. He was 90.
He was born July 2, 1929, in Topeka, the son of Floyd Charles Butel and Bernice Humbert Butel. John was a lifelong Overbrook resident, graduating from Overbrook Rural High School with the class of 1947.
John was a farmer in the Overbrook area his entire adult life. It was a profession that was as much a love as it was work. He was in partnership with both his father, Floyd, then later his son Larry. He was always interested in the weather and how it was treating the land. If it rained he was always interested in how much and when more was on its way even in his recent time at Brookside.
He helped to organize and then managed Rural Water District No. 5 of Osage County from its beginning in 1970 until he retired in 2004.
John was drafted and served in the Army during the Korean War. His typing skills allowed him to leave the field and become a company clerk.
He married Martha L. Betz March 18, 1956, at First United Methodist Church, Topeka. They shared 62 years loving of marriage until her passing in November 2018.
John was a member of Overbrook United Methodist Church, Osage County Gideons, Ridgeway Lodge No. 62 and American Legion Post 239 of Overbrook. He also served for several decades on the Board of the Kansas State Bank and Farmers Cooperative of Overbrook and Lawrence. John was an important and active member in the Overbrook community and will be greatly missed.
John and Martha loved their trips, from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Alaska to Mexico to Italy. They loved to see the world together, especially on their many cruises. They also were blessed to spend many trips in the country visiting their family, especially their many trips to see their grandchildren.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Sue Ann Butel; and three brothers, Floyd Charles Butel Jr., Donald A. Butel, and Robert W. Butel.
John is survived by his three sons, John L. Butel and wife, Stephanie, West Des Moines, Iowa, Larry W. Butel and wife, Boni, Overbrook, and James A. Butel and wife, Chellie, Arnold, Mo.; a sister, Janet Butel-Graham, Houston, Texas; and seven grandchildren, Bryan, Tyler, Brock, Gabriel, Abigail, Juliette, and Vivienne.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at Overbrook United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Overbrook Cemetery. Family will receive friends for a visitation prior to the service at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Overbrook American Legion Post 239 or Overbrook United Methodist Church and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, 730 Western Heights Drive, Overbrook, KS 66524.
Condolences may be expressed at lamb-roberts.com.
