Herbert Emery Butler

Herbert E. Butler RACINE - Herbert Emery Butler, 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 19, 2016 at Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. He was born in Waukesha on January 10, 1938, the son of the late Emery and Louise (nee: Timm) Butler. As a young child, Herb lived in Sussex. The family moved to Racine but often spent summers working at both the family’s dairy farms in Sussex and Delafield. Herb was a graduate of Racine Lutheran High School where he played on the football team, ran track and performed with the high school band. After graduation from high school, he enlisted and proudly served in the United States Army as a crew chief on a S-58 Helicopter. During Herb’s station in Germany he met and married the girl of his dreams, Christa Wappler on June 26, 1959. Shortly after returning to the states, Herb took up employment as a pipefitter at Western Publishing House. Herb worked hard and taught himself how to fix boat engines, which then became his passion. He was sought after by many places, landing a job a Maine Marine & Ski as Head Master Mechanic for more than 35 years. He received many awards from Lund Boats and Mercury Marine. He received a Master Mechanic Degree from Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac. Herb was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Racine Eskimos Snowmobile Club, Antique Snowmobile Club of America, 5th Street Yacht Club and Salmon Unlimited. Herb found great enjoyment in family camping trips, fishing, small engine repair and snowmobiling. Herb is survived by his wife of 58 years, Christa, and their five children, Tammy (Scott Abrams) Butler, Trent (Jane Michels) Butler, Tessa (Justin) Migliano, Tara (Tim) Mattes and Tanya (Dan Henschel) Butler; nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren, two sisters, Mildred (Lee) Exner and Janice (John) Bertemann in addition to nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends throughout the United States and extended family members in Germany. Herb’s visitation will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 4:30 pm until 7 pm and will continue at the church on Wednesday from 9 am until time of service. Herb’s funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2065 Geneva St. on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 10 am with Rev. Stephen Jennings officiating. Herb will be laid to rest with full military honors at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Herb in a special way may direct memorials to Zablocki VA Medical Center, 5000 W. National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53295, Attn: Palliative Care Center #1200. The Butler family would like to take this opportunity to express their profound gratitude to the Zablocki VA Medical Center as well as the entire staff for their attentive care and gentle manner given to Herb. A special thank you and forever love and gratitude to Dr. Malik Bandealy and Dr. Joshua A. Bloom at United Hospital System in Kenosha. Without their care and compassion our time with Herb would have been much shorter.

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Herbert Emery Butler

January 10, 1938 - December 19, 2016