Carl Philip Butts

Carl Philip Butts, 95, of Veedersburg, passed away 3:22 am Sunday November 16, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Crawfordsville IN. Mr. Butts was born July 6, 1919 in Veedersburg the son of James Philip and Lula Ellen (Crawford) Butts. He married Beverly Jane Drollinger August 19, 1943 in Veedersburg; she preceded him in death June 21, 2009. He is also preceded in death by three sisters Ina France, Gayle Coffman-Lee, Shirley Butts and two brothers Charlie Mearns and Jim Butts Surviving family include two sons, James Phillip (wife, Rita) Butts, Avon IN; David (wife, Janet) Butts, Veedersburg; a daughter Edith Ellen (husband, Walter) Benefield, Greenwood IN; seven grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Carl was raised and lived most of his life on the farm north of Veedersburg. He attended school in Veedersburg, in later years received his G.E.D. at South Vermillion High School, and was more recently presented with an honorary diploma at Fountain Central High School. He attended the Navy Electrical School at Purdue University and Aviation Electrical School at Norfolk Air Station. Carl joined the U.S. Naval Reserves and served his country during WWII. He became the first WWII veteran to join the Veedersburg American Legion Post #288 in June 1943. After his discharge from the service he managed Emergency Transit Lines and Jackson Brothers Automobile Transit of Beaumont, TX. In 1946 he leased the service station in Veedersburg and operated it until Dec. 27, 1981. He had also driven the Van Buren School Bus, transported brick from the Clay Co. Brickyard in Veedersburg. Served on the Veedersburg Fire Dept, Van Buren Twp. Advisory Board, and Fountain County Council His memberships include Sterling Christian Church, American Legion Post #288 where he had held most offices, Vice Commander of the 6th district American Legion, Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute, Past Master and member of Masonic Lodge #491, Fountain County Genealogical Society, Fountain County Historical Society, Illiana Genealogical & Historical Society, Society of Indiana Pioneers in Indianapolis, and he had served on Representative Brian Kerns Veterans Committee. Funeral service will be 11:00 am Saturday November 22, 2014 at Dickerson Funeral Home in Veedersburg with David Butts and Pastor Gary Johnson officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:45 pm Friday November 21, 2014 at the funeral home, with Masonic Service beginning at 7:45pm. Burial will be at Rockfield Cemetery with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post#288. Memorial contributions may be given to American Cancer Society or American Heart Association. Online condolences at www.dickersonfuneralhome.com