Richard Leo Butler, 87, of Lakeland, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at Heritage View Assisted Living in Plant City, from a long battle from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
He was born Oct. 20, 1927, in Sandusky, Ohio. He was a longtime resident of Sandusky, where he was an active member of the Bay Area Officiating Association of Northern Ohio, where he refereed High School Football for 18 years. He moved to Lakeland in 1981 and was a member of Resurrection Catholic Church. He was a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Sandusky and mailman for Florida Southern College in Lakeland, as well as a devoted husband and loving father.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Margaret C. Butler; parents, Leo Butler and Frances Butler (Riedy); sister, Mary Sumser (Butler); and brother, John Butler. He is survived by daughter, Elizabeth A. Alger, of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania; sons, James R. Butler, of Toledo, Ohio, Francis M. Butler, of Tampa, and Mark C. Butler, of Lakeland; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass/memorial service will be held at Resurrection Catholic Church to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Good Shepherd Hospice.
