A Memorial Service for Ralph and Marjorie Butler of Monmouth will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Faith United Presbyterian Church, 200 S. 8th St., Monmouth.
Special music will begin prior to the service at 10:10 am. Interment will follow at Warren County Memorial Park. A luncheon will be held at the church following interment.
Ralph David Butler, age 93 of Savoy, Illinois (formerly of Monmouth, Illinois) died February 3, 2025 in his home at the Windsor of Savoy.
Ralph was born on August 18, 1931 in Rockford, Illinois, son of Le Roy David and Esther (Duerrstein) Butler. He graduated in 1949 from West Rockford High School. In 1953 he graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Accountancy and his name was placed on the Bronze Tablet for scholastic achievement.
At the University of Illinois Ralph was a member of the Varsity Men’s Glee Club and the Marching Illini, playing in the Rose Bowl in 1952. He was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda social fraternity, a treasured source of many life-long friendships, and he served as Treasurer of the Illini Union Student Activities Board.
Ralph served in the United States Navy from August 1954 until December 1957. He was the Disbursing Officer in the Controllers Department at the Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane, Indiana.
Ralph married Marjorie Headley on June 23, 1956 in the First Presbyterian Church of Macomb, Illinois.
After being discharged from the Navy in December 1957, Ralph attended the Law School at the University of Michigangraduating in August of 1960 and moved to Monmouth, joining the firm of Clendenin and Burkhard. He became a partner in 1969. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Illinois, the United States Supreme Court and the United States Tax Court. He practiced law in Monmouth and Peoria until November 1998.
Ralph coached the men’s tennis team at Monmouth College for two years in 1974 and 1975. In the second year the college hosted the Midwest Conference Tennis Meet. He also taught Business Law at Monmouth College between 1980 and 1991.
Ralph served 2 terms on the Monmouth YMCA Board of Directors. While on the board he served as President of the Board in 1980 and as a member of the Building Committee for the new YMCA building.
Ralph was a teacher, a deacon, an elder, Clerk of Session and member of the choir at Grace United and Faith UnitedPresbyterian churches and a member of the Sanctuary Building Committee of Faith United Presbyterian Church.
Ralph was involved in musical activities all of his life. He was a member and soloist in various choral groups in Rhode Island, Georgia, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. He sang with the Buchanan Chorus in Monmouth, the Monmouth College Chorale, and the Galesburg Community Chorus. In addition to playing in high school and college bands, he was a member of the Monmouth Brass Quintet playing the valve trombone and a long-time member of the Monmouth Municipal Band playingthe baritone horn.
In Monmouth, Ralph was a member and President of the Exchange Club, President of the Monmouth College Concert-Lecture Series Board in 1974 and 1975, and later a member of the Monmouth Rotary Club for over 20 years.
Ralph enjoyed reading, swimming, tennis, playing the piano, the theater (especially Gilbert and Sullivan operettas), both choral and instrumental music, international travel, and his family vacations at the Congregational Summer Assembly near Frankfort, Michigan.
He is survived by his sister Linda and brother-in-law Conrad Lantz of Rockford, Illinois; his daughter Ann and son-in-law Thomas Finnegan of Champaign, Illinois; his daughter-in-law Donna Butler of Monmouth, Illinois and beloved nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Timothy Butler in 2011, and his wife Marjorie in 2020.
Gifts in his memory may be directed to Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth or the Warren County Public Library.
Marjorie Headley Butler, age 86, died peacefully at her Monmouth, Illinois home of almost 60 years on Easter Sunday April 12, 2020.
Marjorie was born April 30, 1933 in Terre Haute Township, IL to Clara Florence Headley (Nee Johnson) and Joseph Henry Headley. Marjorie grew up in the country, living on farms in Hancock and McDonough counties.
She was an accomplished pianist and singer from a very early age. She sang in choirs and oratorio societies, performed solos and duets with her husband and daughter, and accompanied many singers and instrumentalists on both piano and organ. In high school she accompanied the male chorus at the the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) in Kansas City, MO.
Marjorie was the President of her high school Junior Class and successfully led a fundraising initiative for an all-expenses-paid 10-day senior class trip for all seniors to Biloxi, MS. In high school she was a delegate to the National Future Homemakers of American (FHA) convention in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from La Harpe High School in 1951 as Salutatorian. Marjorie attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a B.S. in Home Economics in 1955 from the College of Agriculture. She lived in McKinley Hall on Wright Street. At the University of Illinois she was President of the Home Economics Council and worked on the staff of the Illio, the University of Illinois yearbook. She also sang in the McKinley Presbyterian Church choir.
After graduation she became an Assistant Home Advisor for Warren County where she worked with 4-H clubs, among other duties, until her marriage to Ralph David Butler, of Rockford, Illinois, on June 23, 1956 in the First Presbyterian Church of Macomb, IL.
After her marriage, Marjorie lived at the Naval Ammunition Depot in Crane, IN while Ralph was serving in the Navy. While there Marjorie played the organ for the naval base chapel. Marjorie and Ralph moved to Ann Arbor, MI in 1957 and Marjorie was manager of the Country House furniture store in Ypsilanti, MI while Ralph was in law school. She sang in the First Presbyterian Church choir and their daughter Ann Marie was born in Ann Arbor.
In 1960 the couple moved to Monmouth, IL where their son Timothy Charles was born. In Monmouth she served for 3 years on the first-ever Warren Achievement School Board and was the first secretary of the Board; was a member of Warren County Home Economists for 12 years and served 2 years as President; was a member of Faith United Presbyterian Church serving on all of the boards of the church: on the Session as an ordained Elder, as a Deacon, and as a Trustee. She taught Sunday School for 10 years, taught Bible School for 9 years, and was director of music for elementary-age children. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Maple Leaf Community Concert series for 7 years; a Crimson Clan volunteer; a Head Start Volunteer; helped with the fund drives for the United Way, the American Cancer Association, and the American Heart Association; and was a member of OGM.
Marjorie was an active member in P.E.O. for over 50 years, having been initiated into Chapter E, Monmouth in 1967. As a charter member of Chapter LE, Monmouth which was founded in 1969, she served as President (twice), Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Recording Secretary. Marjorie served as the Chair of the Illinois State P.E.O. Scholar Project for three years.
She was the secretary and office manager of her husband’s law office for twenty years until her retirement in 1998. Since 1972, the couple has vacationed in Frankfort, MI at the Congregational Summer Assembly (CSA). In her retirement she enjoyed several trips to Canada and European countries.
Marjorie is survived by her husband Ralph of Monmouth, IL; her daughter Ann Finnegan (Tom) of Champaign, IL; her daughter-in-law Donna Dunlap Butler; her brother Charles Headley (Carol) of Columbia, MO; and her brother Royce Headley (Joyce) of Macomb, IL; her sister-in-law Linda Butler Lantz and brother-in-law Conrad Lantz, Rockford, IL and by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was predeceased in death by her parents, Henry (1956) and Florence (1984), her youngest brother Myron (1996) and her son Timothy (2011).
Marjorie was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, niece, aunt, sister, and friend, full of love and life. She is deeply missed.
GIfts in memory of Marjorie may be directed to Chapter LE P.E.O. or the Warren County Library.
