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Carolyn "Carol" Butler

June 18, 1933 - February 12, 2023
Grandville, MI

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At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Caring Circle Hospice of South Haven
05055 Blue Star Highway
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-3825
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Carolyn “Carol” Jeanne Butler of Grandville, MI passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 89 on February 12, 2023, shortly after spending time with family and other loved ones.

Carol was born on June 18, 1933 to the late Carl and Bertha (Jannausch) Bissot in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The youngest of four, she had an idyllic childhood, living down the street from John Ball Park Zoo, playing with siblings and neighboring cousins. Family outings to Lake Michigan were her favorite. Carol attended St. Mary’s School and West Catholic High School, graduating from Catholic Central High School in 1951. She went on to study accounting at Aquinas College.

In high school, Carol met a classmate during home room who made her laugh. It wasn’t until years later, after his return from military service, that she began dating the same funny and charming classmate, Bill Butler. Married in 1955, Bill and Carol enjoyed raising their two children and made many friends while living in Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Chicago and Cincinnati. They loved cooking together and entertaining.

Carol’s accounting skills earned her a rich career in bookkeeping eventually partnering with Bill for their design business, The Butler Group. She loved learning how to invest, managing her portfolio and finding a good bargain. She wouldn’t buy anything unless it was on sale and was always well dressed, even during lean times.

Carol loved to sew and could whip up an outfit, throw pillows, curtains, and bed or table skirts in a heartbeat for family and friends. She enjoyed playing piano, tennis, swimming, volunteer work and a good joke. She was a wicked card player and especially loved her bridge groups. Planting flowers and reading novels were her top relaxation pursuits. But, Carol’s greatest passion of all was being a mom, then a grandmother, and she jumped at the chance to babysit. The grandkids have wonderful memories of baking, swimming, playing games and vacationing with her. And, if anyone needed someone to talk to, there was no better sounding board.

In addition to her parents, Carol was predeceased by her best friend and husband of 56 years, Bill Butler, her beloved grandson, Chase Butler, and her siblings Thomas, Barbara and Father Robert Bissot.

Left to cherish all she gave them are her children, Cathy (Clark) Carmichael of Glenn, Michigan and Todd (Nanci) Butler of Cincinnati, Ohio. Delightful memories will forever remain with her grandchildren; John “Jack” (Kathleen) Butler, Kristen Carmichael and Spencer (fiancée Katy Frank) Carmichael.

In alignment with Carol’s wishes, cremation has taken place. She will join her husband at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, OH with a private graveside service.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Michigan.

Donations in Carol’s memory may be made to Caring Circle Hospice of South Haven, located at 05055 Blue Star Highway, South Haven, MI 49090 or online at https://fs10.formsite.com/hospice/form63/index.html

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