E. Joan Butler

E. Joan Butler, age 92 of Mattoon, IL went home to be with her Lord and Savior at 5:24 AM, Monday, November 20, 2023, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL. She was surrounded by her loving family. A funeral service in her honor will be held at 12:00 PM, Friday, November 24, 2023, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Pastor Thomas Butler will officiate. A committal service will immediately follow at Dodge Grove Cemetery in Mattoon, IL. The visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Joan was born on June 8, 1931, to the late Jennie M. (Linder) Lawhorn. Joan married Robert E. Butler Sr. on February 6, 1950, in Mattoon, IL; he preceded her in death on July 1, 1987. She is survived by one sister, Maggie Shutta of Riverview, FL; three children: Barbara J. Wright and husband Gary of Mattoon, IL; Janice M. Harp and husband Audie of Mattoon, IL, Thomas A. Butler and wife Lisa of Mattoon, IL; fourteen grandchildren: Tony Hendren Jr. of Danville, KY, Tina Ratliff and husband Rob of Lerna, IL, Joe Wright and wife Cindy of Mattoon, IL, Todd Wright and wife Tracy of Mattoon, IL, Chris Butler and wife Tina of Sullivan, IL, John Butler and wife Jennifer of Mattoon, IL, Jennie Epperson and husband Keith of Sullivan, IL, Robert Harp and wife Jennifer of Mattoon, IL, Sarah Rabe and husband Kyle of Mattoon, IL, Heather Knox and husband Jonathan of Columbia ,SC, Jason Livingston of Charleston, IL, Thomas Butler and wife Lindsey of Mattoon, IL, Jessica Butler of Mattoon, IL, Tim Butler and wife Lindsey of Mattoon, IL; forty-three great-grandchildren; twenty-five great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Robert Butler Jr.; one daughter, Debbie Hendren; two brothers, one sister, and one great-great grandchild, Violet Brown. A devoted employee of General Electric, 3-D, and Wal-Mart. Joan was loved and respected by all that had the blessing of getting to know her. She was a faithful and founding member of the Word of Life Baptist Church in Mattoon, IL. She loved The Lord Jesus and she loved her Bible. Joan was always willing to help with any ministry activities to provide encouragement to everyone she worshiped with and strived to tell her family about loving the Lord. Cooking was a talent that brought Joan great joy to her and her family. Especially when it brought the family together to devour her delicious homemade meals. Her dressing was a family favorite. She also enjoyed attending auctions, garage sales, playing games, coloring pictures, and most of all spending time with her children and grandchildren. Joan loved the Lord Jesus and each and every member of her family, Joan had the gift of making us all feel loved and special to her. A true matriarch of the family, Joan will be deeply missed and the loving memories of her will be forever treasured. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her honor may be made to the Word of Life Baptist Church, 700 Shelby Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with the family.

Tributes

E. Joan Butler

June 8, 1931 - November 20, 2023