Ethel Butler

Ethel Elizabeth Butler, age 99, of Lamar, passed away Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at Truman Healthcare Center.        Ethel was born January 12, 1911, in Cedar County, Missouri, the second of the fifteen children of J.N. and Effie (Gordon) Jeffries.  On December 20, 1930, at Fair Play, Missouri, she married Lester Butler and they celebrated more than fifty-one years together before his death March 22, 1982.  She was also preceded in death by her parents; eleven brothers and sisters; a son-in-law, Buzz Gardner; and a grand-son, Brad Butler.        Ethel and Lester owned and operated The Electric Bakery on the west side of the Lamar Square for ten years.  Many will also remember her from the Courthouse where she worked as Deputy Circuit Clerk for many years.  When Lester passed away in 1982, Ethel was appointed to complete his term as Circuit Clerk.  She was an active member of Lamar First Baptist Church where she sang in the choir.  She enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Lamar Country Club, the Literary Club, and a Ladies Quartet.        Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Clint & Betty Jane Butler, Fort Worth, Texas; a daughter, Helen Gardner, Lamar; two brothers, Jesse & wife Vera Jeffries, Carthage, and Bob Jeffries, Lamar; a sister, Ruth Newman, Carthage; eight grandchildren, Larry, Stan, Jon, & Pam Butler, Kent, Jeff, & Scott Gardner, and Diane Moore; 18 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.        Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 2nd at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time Saturday.  Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.        Memorial contributions are suggested to Barton County Senior Center or First Baptist Church in care of Daniel Funeral Home.