French N. Butcher The Angels have just welcomed home an amazing man. French “Nick” Butcher passed away peacefully at his home in Freedom Township, Ohio, after a long, brave battle with Parkinson’s disease, surrounded by his loving family on January 10, 2015, to join his beloved wife, Alma, in Heaven. Nick was born in Weston, on December 31, 1940: to Reva C. Butcher and French N. Butcher Sr., deceased. He moved with his family to the Kent, Ohio, area at the age of four and later resided in Brady Lake. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent, Ohio, in 1959, where he excelled at every sport. Nick was inducted into his high school’s hall of fame in 2007, being a member of their 1957 championship basketball team. In 1960, Nick married the love of his life, Alma (Krebs) Butcher. Together they had five children, DeAnna (Rick) Curtner of Mantua, Ohio; Thomas (Nancy) Butcher of Ravenna, Ohio; Claudia (Kevin) Franko of Deerfield; Jennifer Wampler of Windham, Ohio; and Kelly Ann Butcher, deceased. Butcher also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Justin Franko, Melinda Wampler, Kimberly Wampler, John Butcher, Jared Butcher, Scott Butcher, Christopher Franko, Clara Butcher and Mallory Butcher; and his great-granddaughter, Kyleigh Franko. He will be missed by his brother, Michael C. Butcher of Kent, Ohio; and sisters-in-law, Allison Butcher of Kent, Ohio, and Kathleen Butcher of Ponce de Leon, Florida. Nick’s brothers, Donald L. Butcher and Vaughn E. Butcher; his sister, Sandra C. Butcher, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herman and Dovie Krebs, preceded him in death. He retired from Chrysler Corporation Twinsburg Stamping Plant in 2000 after nearly 40-years of service. As a very proud member of the UAW Union Local 122, he served as Chief Steward of third shift, often fighting for workers rights and safety in the work place. Butcher was a gifted athlete who strove for excellence in every sport he enjoyed. As an avid bowler and below par golfer his entire life, Nick won countless tournaments and championship titles and held county records. His name can be found listed with his fellow teammates and mentors in the Portage County Bowling Hall of Fame, the Portage County All Sports Hall of Fame and The Tri-County Bowling Hall of Fame, where he served as a board member for many years. In his later years, he and his wife, Alma, loved going on fun bowling trips with their dear friends, with whom he bowled in the Senior All Star Traveling League. By far, Nick’s greatest gift to many young people was the time he spent as a coach, mentor and friend. Nick coached his son Thom’s Freedom Hotstove Baseball team for six-years and was the assistant baseball coach at James A. Garfield High School for two-years. He also coached for Ravenna Hot Stove Baseball for four-years altogether. Nick mentored numerous area bowlers and golfers and was the beloved leader of The Moose Divers. Nick was affectionately known as “Poppy” by his grandchildren and they meant everything to him. He loved attending their numerous sporting and scholastic events and was so very proud of all of them. The kids hung out with him often to help make his signature pizza and hot pepper sauce, had a lot of fun helping him cheer on his favorite sports teams and watching his favorite John Wayne movies. Services will be held at Shorts, Spicer and Crislip Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel. Calling hours will be held Friday January 16, from 5 - 8 PM and on Saturday, January 17, from 12 - 2 PM with services to begin promptly at 2 PM Chaplain Lori Pugh will be officiating.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 09:02:13 +0000
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