Judith A. BUTLER

1943 - 2015

Judith A. Butler

HUDSON, WI - Judith A. Butler, 72, formerly of Springfield, Ill., passed away after a brief illness in St. Paul, Minn., on April 25, 2015, with her children by her side.

She was born on June 2, 1943, in Chicago to Robert and Lillian Butler. They preceded her in death in 2011 and 2014, respectively.

She is survived by her son, Scott (Sarah) Troehler of Springfield; daughter, Dianne (Manfred) Gabriel of Hudson, Wisc.; grandchildren, Jack & Emma Troehler, and Lily-Ann, Amelia and Marie Gabriel; stepson, Mike (Cary) Schmidt of Brighton, Mich., and their children, Kyle, Alexandra and Kathryn. She is also survived by her sisters, Lillian Herter of Highland Park, Ill., Bobbi (Mike) Hickey of Rochester, Ill., and Sheri (Wally) Hill of Fairview Heights, Ill.; and leaves behind a niece and numerous nephews.

She was a human resources professional for many years before leaving the Chicago area for Asheville, N.C., in 1991. In Asheville, she was the owner and proprietor of The Book Rack for more than a decade before retiring and moving to Springfield in 2006.

While in Springfield, she was active in numerous organizations including serving as treasurer of the local chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was also a volunteer at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and worked in the Sumac Shop at the Dana Thomas House. She participated in LLCC's Lifelong Learning Program, and enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.

She relocated to Hudson in July of 2014 where, among other things, she discovered her hidden talent of watercolor painting.

Memorial Gathering and Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until the memorial ceremony at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Burial will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the AAUW Springfield scholarship program, WUIS, the Hudson (WI) Public Library, or Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson.

Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.

Published in The State Journal-Register from May 3 to May 4, 2015