The Todd County Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Russell Butler.
CLITY – Russell Butler, age 92 of Clifty, passed away Monday, June 9, 2025 at Jennie Stuart Medical Center after coming out of remission for the second time with cancer.
Born September 6, 1932 at his home on Highway 181 in Muhlenberg County, son of Frank and Flora Edwards Butler.
He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War but before being deployed to combat in the Korean War, he mysteriously broke his ankle so, he was then deployed to Germany to serve out his time. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he went to mechanic school in Nashville before there was an interstate there. He learned his mechanic skills using the GI bill. His former education was literally walking barefooted to a one-room schoolhouse. He could fix anything mechanical in nature. He liked to “build” things around the house. Architecture and painting weren’t his strong points but he enjoyed the “process” of his projects. He worked most recently for Todd County Schools as their head mechanic for 36 years and driving the school bus for 1 year. He also worked as a mechanic for Mansfield’s Used Cars and for a dealership in Hammond, Indiana in his younger days.
In his spare time, he enjoyed music. He taught himself how to play the guitar, piano, mandolin and a little on the fiddle. He enjoyed singing songs about the Lord and the “good ole days.” He loved singing, whistling and even yodeling. He preached the gospel on the radio at WNKJ in Central City alongside his wife and daughter who assisted him with music for 19 years. He had multiple pets through the years, even a duck that would “ride” on his shoulder. He had a track ministry and a sign ministry. If you saw a sign or cross up about the Lord along the roadside in Todd, Muhlenberg or Logan County, he probably built it and put it there. He literally passed out thousands of gospel tracks throughout the years. He also made it a point to visit the sick and elderly. He had an uncanny memory for lyrics to songs dating back to World War II and had much of the Bible memorized.
His preference of music, clothing and way of life stemmed from a simpler way of living. He grew up with no electricity or running water. He believed the world had gotten too busy and too big for their “britches.” He recently asked if people could live without their smart phones and I said no. He thought that was sad. I imagine there is much wisdom in that. He was often heard saying “I don’t need a great big mansion in Heaven, I’d be happy with a cabin by the branch.” I imagine he got just that.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Randall Butler (Barbara) and Gene Butler.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Jane Butler; a daughter, Sharon Everton (Scott); a sister, Polly Kimmel (Jerry Jenkins); a sister-in-law, Melba Butler and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation with the Butler family was on Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Todd County Funeral Home and again on Friday, June 13, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until funeral service time at 1:00 p.m. at the Joines Chapel Church in Clifty with Rev. Fred Harrison and Rev. Nelson Bodes officiating. Interment followed at the Joines Chapel Church Cemetery.
