John Dale “J.D.” Butler, age 90, of Effingham, Illinois, and formerly of Clay County, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Evergreen Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Effingham.

      John was born January 10, 1935, the son of Wilbur Overton and Wanda F. (Curtright) Butler.  He spent his early years growing up on a farm in the Bible Grove area, where he attended a one-room schoolhouse.  Those early rural roots stayed with him throughout his life.

      He is survived by his wife, Janis McKnelly Butler, of Effingham; his children, Robert (Karen) Butler of Grove City, Ohio, June Butler Depew of Fort Myers, Florida, Jerald (Chris) Butler of Flora, Illinois, and Dale (Ann) Butler of Island Grove, Illinois; his grandchildren, Amanda Joseph, Melissa Peterson, Andrew Butler, Brock Butler, Lizzie Butler, Matt Depew, and Corey Butler; his great-grandchildren, Kelsey Torres, Karli Witt, Lilia Joseph, Ben Butler, Owen Butler, Annabelle Peterson, Calista Peterson, Simon Peterson, Shay Depew, and Sloan Depew; and his great-great-grandchildren, Miles Carrol and Everett Witt.  He was preceded in passing by his parents.

      In his younger years, John especially enjoyed rabbit and squirrel hunting with his three sons and taking annual family vacation trips throughout the United States—memories that became treasured family stories.

      A hardworking and entrepreneurial man, he had owned and operated J.D. Butler Oilfield and Backhoe for many years.  He later owned a Mobil Oil Bulk Distributorship and completed his working career and retired from Yellow Freight.

      In his later years, John. enjoyed spending time checking on his farm and crops in the Bible Grove area, remaining closely connected to the land that had shaped him from the beginning.  He and Janis were members of Red Brush Christian Church in Louisville. 

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will follow in Orchard Hill Cemetery, Louisville.  A visitation will be held from 12 noon until 1 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to any charity of the donor’s choice, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com