John David Butler, 87, of Sarasota, FL formerly of Indianapolis and Scottsburg, IN passed away on April 22, 2018.  John was born in French Lick, IN on September 19, 1930 to Wilmer and Laura (Bledsoe) Butler.  He married Mary Ellen Jackson from Fredericksburg, IN on March 5, 1955.

He enjoyed gardening, playing shuffleboard, bowling, golfing, playing cards, traveling to all 50 States, and pitching horseshoes.  He was a former member of Indian Creek Christian Church in Indianapolis, IN, Scottsburg Christian Church in Scottsburg, IN  and most recently Sarasota Christian Church.

John served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and was employed by Ryerson Steel for 34 years.

John is survived by Mary Ellen (Jackson) Butler, his devoted wife of 63 years, loving children, Brenda (John) Heeringa of Punta Gorda, FL, John David (Pam) Butler, Jr., of Hamilton, NJ, Mary Ann (Dr. Robert) Rea of Lincoln, IL and Barbie (Dr. Larry) Hunefeld of Scottsburg, IN.  He is also survived by 12 cherished grandchildren, Emily (Anthony) Cox of Moran, WY, David Heeringa of Indianapolis, IN, Stephanie (Paul) Kliewer of Brodheadsville, PA, Lindsay and Meghan Butler of Hamilton, NJ, Matt (Riley) Butler of Malden, MA, Hannah Rea of Bloomington, IL, Bethany (Gary) Rademaker of Lincoln, IL, Sara (Devin) Campbell, Isaac, Eli and Leah Hunefeld all of Scottsburg, IN; 7 precious great grandchildren, Jaden, Tyson, and Brennan Kliewer, Lillian and Barrett Rademaker, and Braxton and Milah Campbell, and dear sisters, Betty Lou Wininger of Lafayette, IN, Jeanne Stalcup of Paoli, IN & Ruth Saeger of Greencastle, IN.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 30, 2018 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm with a funeral service at 1:00 pm in Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1977 S. State Rd. 135, Greenwood, IN. Dr. Robert Rea officiating and burial immediately following in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, 8558 Potter Park Drive, Suite 500, Sarasota, FL 34238, http://www.pwsausa.org/