Obituary for Harold E. Butcher
Harold Eugene Butcher, 91, was called home on Wednesday December 28, 2022, at 6:00 AM. Harold was born on January 1, 1931, in Bloomington, Indiana to General Ward and Arda (Terrell) Butcher. Harold was welcomed as the first New Year’s baby in Monroe County that year and was acknowledged in the newspaper and received several gifts as well. He loved sharing this story with everyone, especially around his birthday each year.
Harold was a graduate of University High School in 1948. He loved to reminisce his time playing basketball in school and being voted “having the best legs” in his class (which he regularly showed off to friends and family). Harold worked in many of the local Bloomington restaurants including Rotrucks and Groves. He met his wife, Barbara Ruth (Shiflet) Butcher at a church event and married her on June 19, 1949. They were married for 72 years prior to her death on August 31, 2021. He desperately missed her every day.
Harold worked at RCA during the early years of their marriage and then took a position in Indianapolis at the General Motors – Allison Plant for approximately 15 years. While working at Alison’s, Harold also began working part-time as a life-insurance agent and eventually left Allison’s to become a full-time agent and then a General Agent for the Franklin Life Insurance Company. He continued to be very successful as an insurance agent with multiple companies and worked well into his 80’s. He received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career. His proudest accomplishment was being recognized as the 2nd highest performing agent in the nation in 1983. Harold was also awarded a Wilkerson sword crafted in England alongside this recognition.
Harold and Barbara had a strong Pentecostal faith and were avid members of the Family Life Church in Bloomington, Indiana. They enjoyed spending time with their family and grandchildren, attending numerous band and sporting events. Harold greatly enjoyed watching Indiana University sports on TV with Barbara, especially IU basketball and Bobby Knight!
Survivors include his daughters Cathy Langley and Becky (Kurt) Feather, both of Bloomington. Grandchildren: Jason (Jaime) Butcher, Dana (Austin) Elliott, Nicholas Butcher, Austin Feather, and Cade Feather. He has 5 great-grandchildren: Devon Butcher, Katlyn Butcher, Delaney Elliott, Colson Elliott, and Camdyn Elliott; and 1 great, great-grandchild, Renleigh Smith. He is also survived by sisters Leah Bruner and Sharon Pahmeier.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara; his son Gregory Eugene; his brothers Bob, Wayne, John, and Max; and his sisters Mary Bruner and Shirley Chiarelli.
Graveside Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at Valhalla Memory Gardens. Pastor Tracy Noel will officiate.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard 3000 E. Third Street Bloomington, Indiana.
Online condolences may be left at www.thefuneralchapel.net
Harold was a graduate of University High School in 1948. He loved to reminisce his time playing basketball in school and being voted “having the best legs” in his class (which he regularly showed off to friends and family). Harold worked in many of the local Bloomington restaurants including Rotrucks and Groves. He met his wife, Barbara Ruth (Shiflet) Butcher at a church event and married her on June 19, 1949. They were married for 72 years prior to her death on August 31, 2021. He desperately missed her every day.
Harold worked at RCA during the early years of their marriage and then took a position in Indianapolis at the General Motors – Allison Plant for approximately 15 years. While working at Alison’s, Harold also began working part-time as a life-insurance agent and eventually left Allison’s to become a full-time agent and then a General Agent for the Franklin Life Insurance Company. He continued to be very successful as an insurance agent with multiple companies and worked well into his 80’s. He received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career. His proudest accomplishment was being recognized as the 2nd highest performing agent in the nation in 1983. Harold was also awarded a Wilkerson sword crafted in England alongside this recognition.
Harold and Barbara had a strong Pentecostal faith and were avid members of the Family Life Church in Bloomington, Indiana. They enjoyed spending time with their family and grandchildren, attending numerous band and sporting events. Harold greatly enjoyed watching Indiana University sports on TV with Barbara, especially IU basketball and Bobby Knight!
Survivors include his daughters Cathy Langley and Becky (Kurt) Feather, both of Bloomington. Grandchildren: Jason (Jaime) Butcher, Dana (Austin) Elliott, Nicholas Butcher, Austin Feather, and Cade Feather. He has 5 great-grandchildren: Devon Butcher, Katlyn Butcher, Delaney Elliott, Colson Elliott, and Camdyn Elliott; and 1 great, great-grandchild, Renleigh Smith. He is also survived by sisters Leah Bruner and Sharon Pahmeier.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara; his son Gregory Eugene; his brothers Bob, Wayne, John, and Max; and his sisters Mary Bruner and Shirley Chiarelli.
Graveside Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at Valhalla Memory Gardens. Pastor Tracy Noel will officiate.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard 3000 E. Third Street Bloomington, Indiana.
Online condolences may be left at www.thefuneralchapel.net