Dr. Joe B. Butler, 93, a lifelong resident of Crothersville, died at 9:04 a.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at his home.
‘Doc. Joe’, as many of his patients called him was a 1945 Crothersville High School graduate. He started his college years at Purdue University studying Pharmacy, then a year later was called to the United States Army serving as a clerk. When he returned to Purdue University, he changed his major to Pre-med and graduated in 1950. In 1954 he graduated from I.U. Medical School.
In 1955, he started his General Practice Medical Office in Crothersville. During his medical practice, Dr. Joe delivered over 3,000 babies. He also served as the Chief of Staff for Schneck Medical Center early in his career. He obtained his private pilot’s license in 1973 and enjoyed traveling.
His passion for medicine and his community would not allow him to retire. He retired not just once but three times. Finally in 1999, after a 45-year career in local medicine, Dr. Joe B. Butler officially retired and ended his practice.
He was born Sept. 9, 1927, in Crothersville, to the late Gordon E. and Amy (Kingsbury) Butler. On July 10, 1955, he married Caroline (Lacey) Butler who survives in Crothersville.
He is also survived by six children, Rick (Yvie) Butler and Randy (Donna) Butler both of Seymour, Betsy (Andy) Petty of Crothersville, Dr. Dan (Erin) Butler of Middletown, OH, Kim (Kelly) Hunter of Lexington, KY, and Tim (Jeong-Hee) Butler of Daegu, South Korea; 17 grandchildren, Ashlee Butler, Aimee (Mitch) England, Ben Bowman, Marc Bowman, Lacey (Matt) Howard, Evan Petty, Cory (Annabelle) Butler, Cameron (Anna) Butler, Joe Butler, Chris Butler, Cyia Butler, Dalton Butler, Sarah Butler, Jacob Hunter, Lauren Hunter, Hannah Butler and Grace Butler; four great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Friday from Adams Funeral Home in Crothersville with Pastors Brynen Chitwood and Landon Sexton officiating. Burial was in Crothersville Cemetery.