Staff Directory

As with any business, it's the people that set one company apart from another. The associates at Butler Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center have dedicated themselves to serving the families of this community for more than a century. Jack and Chris Butler CFSP, along with their professional staff, are committed to the high standards of the funeral service profession and the leadership in advancing those standards. Because of their focus in their role as sustained caregivers, the associates of Butler Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center have earned the continued trust of the families in this community.

Jack Butler

Executive Vice President, Licensed Funeral Director

Jack Butler was born in Taylorville, IL and lived in Morrisonville, IL until he was 6, when his parents, Bernard and Irene Butler, moved with their two sons to Springfield. It was during World War II, and his father worked for the State Highway Department; his mother was a homemaker. A third son, Patrick, and a daughter, Mary Kay were born several years later. Bernard joined the firm in the early 1940s, having been recruited by Harold P. Butler, Bernard's brother and owner of the funeral home. Bernard died in 1954, and Harold hired Jack who was by then a junior in high school (Cathedral Boys High - later Griffin and now Sacred-Heart Griffin). Jack served two years in the U.S. Army after high school, and then enrolled at Springfield Junior College (now Springfield College in Illinois-Benedictine University), and subsequently graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1960.

Harold Butler died in 1963, and the funeral home was purchased by Jack, his brother Jerry, Leonard Berry and Jack McCarthy in 1965. Jack McCarthy died in 1966; Leonard Berry retired in 1974 and died in 1994. Jerry Butler retired in 1993 and died in 1999.

The "Butler" name was incorporated into the name of the firm in 1972. Jack's sister, Mary Kay Butler Harrelson, joined the firm in 1979 and now serves as a Family Service Director and Advance Planning Specialist at Butler Funeral Homes.

Jack married Springfield native and Sacred Heart Academy (now Sacred Heart-Griffin High School) graduate Janice Skube in 1959. They are parents of four children: Deanna (Terry) Griffin of Inverness, IL, Julie (Neil) Gallagher of St, Louis, MO and Chris, who is now President of Butler Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center. An infant daughter May Ann died shortly after birth. There are four grandchildren: Kevin and Courtney Griffin, and Erin and Kaitlin Gallagher.

Jack is also active in funeral service and has served the profession in various capacities, including Regional Director for the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. He is a member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes (SIFH), an association if independently-owned and operated funeral homes, as well as state chairman for the International Order of the Golden Rule, an association of independently owned and operated funeral homes and the Cremation Association of North America.

He is a member of St. Agnes Parish, the St. Agnes Holy Name Society, the American Business Club, Elks Lodge 158, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Catholic War Veterans, Bishop Griffin Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and Knight of Columbus Council 4179, the Peter F. Rossiter Chapter of the Sons and Daughters of Erin, and served on the Alumni Advisory Board of Sacred heart-Griffin High School. He is a Foundation Board Member of the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, as well as Board Member of the United Way of Central Illinois.

He has memberships in Illini Country Club, Island Bay Yacht Club and Sangamo Club in Springfield. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, working in his yard, boating, golf and travel.

Chris Butler, CFSP

President, Licensed Funeral Director

Chris Butler, CFSP, was born in Springfield, IL and is a graduate of Christ the King Grade School, Griffin High School, Springfield College in Illinois, the University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign, Forest Park Mortuary Science Program in St. Louis, MO., and the National Foundation of Funeral Service School of Management. Chris has been active in Funeral Service, having served as President of Illinois Funeral Director's Association District 9A & 10 in Central Illinois. He served a three-year term on the Board of the International Order of the Golden Rule, an association of independently owned and operated funeral homes. He was also a co-presenter at a workshop at the National Funeral Directors Association annual convention-the largest funeral directors convention in the world. He is an active participant in many funeral service organizations such as Selected Independent Funeral Homes and the International Order of the Golden Rule, Cremation Association of North America, and various other educational organizations. He has also been active in the Illinois Funeral Directors Association and is a member of National Funeral Directors Association.

Chris is also active in the Springfield community, and is currently a member of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Knights of Columbus Council 4179, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Bishop Griffin Assembly, American Business Club (past Board Member and past President), past Board Member for the American Cancer Society, past Chairman of the Business Drive for Springfield College in Illinois, past Division Chairman for United Way of Central Illinois, and past Ambassador and current member of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. He is a past member of Rotary International - Springfield Sunrise and also previously served as a member of the St. John's Hospital Advisory Council. Chris has also has been active with Downtown Springfield, Inc. and is a current member. He is also a member of the Community Club in New Berlin. An advocate for animals, Chris is also glad to be a supporter of the Animal Protective League.

Chris is the President of Butler Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center, and serves as CEO and COO. He helped form the funeral home follow-up program that now includes the "Holiday Help" program, designed to assist families during the holidays and other significant days. He founded the Butler Cremation Tribute Center in 2000, and started the Pet Services Division for the Cremation Center.

Chris enjoys working in his yard, boating, some travel, and his pets (2 dogs-Pippen and Turney; 1 cat-Jordan) in his spare time. He is glad to be a life-long resident of the Springfield community and also enjoys the spirit that is present in each of the communities served by Butler Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center.

Zachary Wilson

Director of Funeral Service Operations, Licensed Funeral Director

Zachary A. Wilson was born in Danville, IL and lived all of his childhood in Chrisman, IL where he farmed with his family. He attended and graduated from Chrisman High School in 1994. Zachary then attended college in Danville, IL before moving to Vincennes, IN to work for a funeral home and attend Mortuary College. He received an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Vincennes University. Zachary worked in funeral service in Vincennes for five years and joined the staff of Butler Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center in December of 1999.

Zachary is a Licensed Funeral Director and currently serves as the Director of Funeral Service Operations.

He enjoys golf, music, trucks, and motorcycling. He is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #364 in Springfield.

Zachary has enjoyed living in Central Illinois and the people that he has had the opportunity to serve. He looks forward to serving the community for years to come.

Katie Mendenhall

Licensed Funeral Director

Katie Mendenhall was born in Springfield, IL and has spent most of her life in the New Berlin and Pleasant Plains area. She is a 1999 graduate of Pleasant Plains High School and Capital Area Career Center in Health Occupations. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Applied Sciences, majoring in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. Katie has worked in the funeral service profession since 1999.

Katie is a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Springfield. She is a member of the executive committee for the U of I Extension Council Sangamon- Menard Unit, the Sangamon County 4-H Foundation, and the Sangamon County Fair Board.

Katie and her parents, Ken and Joy Mendenhall, raise purebred Angus cattle on their Salisbury area farm. Katie also enjoys camping, playing softball, showing cattle, and spending time with her family, friends, and animals.

Katie is excited to be a part of the Butler Funeral Homes team as she looks forward to growing professionally while serving area families.

Eric Kuchar

Office Manager

Eric Kuchar was born in Millington, TN and has been a resident of Springfield, IL since 1972. He earned a BA in Political Science and International Relations from Western University.

Eric currently serves as the Office Manager at Butler Funeral Homes.

He is a member of the American Astronomical Society, Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

His interests include astronomy, road cycling, landscaping and bird watching. He also enjoys showing Persian cats and Maine Coon's at CFA cat shows. He enjoys the high desert around Flagstaff, AZ.

Mary Elston

Secretary/Receptionist

Mary Elston was born in Springfield, IL and is a 1972 graduate of Springfield High School. Soon after graduating from high school, she married Bruce Elston, Sr. Mary and Bruce have three sons, Bruce Eugene Jr., Jacob Gregory and Zachary Robert and six grandchildren, Elizabeth Margaret "Eme", Carey Marie, Tyler Alexander, Jacob Gregory, Jr., Aden Michael and Kaela Nicole.

Mary started working in the funeral service business in 1996, and came to Butler Funeral Homes in 1999. Mary currently serves as the Secretary/Receptionist.

She enjoys swimming, gardening, cooking, traveling and playing with her grandchildren.

Val Friedrich

Communications & Marketing Coordinator

Val Friedrich joined the staff of Butler Funeral Homes in 2005 as a Family Service Director and Advance Planning Specialist. In 2006, she was given the opportunity to begin serving as the Communications & Marketing Coordinator.

Val was born in Springfield, IL and graduated from Southeast High School. She attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, specializing in Public Relations. She has also attended the University of Illinois at Springfield, working towards her Master's Degree in Communication, focusing on Interpersonal and Organizational Systems.

Val has worked for several local non-profit organizations in the areas of marketing, public relations, and fundraising. She is currently a member of the Public Relations Society of America, the National Communication Association and St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Val also served as a Combat Medical Specialist in the Illinois Army National Guard for nearly 8 years.

Her interests include spending time with family, writing, traveling, attending sporting events (Go Illini!) and volunteering, particularly for organizations benefiting the homeless, children and animals.

Jay Edgecomb

Cremation Tribute Center Funeral Service Associate

Jay Edgecomb joined Butler Funeral Homes in October of 2002 as Pet Services Associate, courier and as needed, Funeral Service Associate.

Jay currently serves as Cremation Tribute Center Funeral Service Associate. His responsibilities include operating and maintaining the Cremation Tribute Center, as well as a separate crematory dedicated exclusively to pet cremation.

Jay was born and raised in Springfield. He is a graduate of Springfield High School and earned an Associate of Arts degree at Lincoln Land Community College. He was a theatrical stagehand for many years and active with the Springfield Muni Opera. Jay managed First Night for the Springfield Area Arts Council for several years and continues to actively support the arts in Springfield.

Jay is married to Clair and they have two sons, Jim and Paul. 
 

Ralph Blissett

Maintenance Director

Ralph Blissett joined the Butler Funeral Homes staff way back in 1975. His Springfield heritage, however, goes back much further. He was born and raised in Springfield and graduated from Lanphier High School. From there, he joined the US Military, where he served his country and learned a great deal about electrical work. Ralph returned to Springfield to help care for his parents, and to this day still lives in the home where he was raised. His duties at Butler Funeral Homes include the maintenance of the buildings, grounds, and automobiles, as well as some floral delivery and other tasks. The beautiful flowers and yard are a result of Ralph's care. This is no easy feat with a building more than 100 years old, and grounds occupying over four city lots. Ralph's skills and talents are tested on a daily basis, yet he has come to know every inch, nook, and cranny of our 1868 Victorian Mansion. Ralph has done an outstanding job over the years in helping to preserve the charm of character of the building.

MaryKay Butler-Harrelson, CPC

Family Service Director, Certified Prearrangement Counselor

Mary Kay Butler-Harrelson, CPC has 28 years of experience in funeral service since joining her family at Butler Funeral Homes in 1979. From 1979-1994, her background includes experience in the planning and organization of corporate and business affairs, program management, staff leadership and daily business operations. She was responsible for accounts receivable, advertising, correspondence and scheduling, as well as for the recruiting, interviewing and training of new employees.

With the assistance of her brother, Jack, Mary Kay has taken great pride throughout the years coordinating purchases necessary to create a pleasant and comfortable environment for the funeral home.

Since 1994, Mary Kay has devoted her efforts to serving as a Family Service Director, Advance Planning Specialist, and Certified Preplanning Consultant. She finds nothing more rewarding and gratifying than assisting families throughout Springfield and the surrounding areas with their advance funeral planning needs.

Mary Kay is married to John P. Harrelson. They are the parents of four children: Bill Marriott III, Mindy Marriott-Fontaine of Steamboat Springs, CO, and Brad Harrelson and Shawn Herrick of Topeka, KS. The share the joy of six granddaughters and one grandson.

Mary Kay graduated from Blessed Sacrament Grade School, Sacred Heart Academy, Class of 1965, and attended Lincoln Land Community College.

Mary Kay is a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Springfield Art Association, Junior League of Springfield-Sustainer Member, Sangamo Club, and Illini Country Club.

She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, golfing and gardening.

Kari Jones

Family Service Director, Advance Planning Specialist

Kari Jones, a native Iowan, is a former choral music educator at various high schools in Illinois, and most recently held that post at Glenwood High School. She joined the staff of Butler Funeral Homes in July of 2006 as a Family Services Director and Advance Planning Specialist.

Her Bachelor of Arts degree in music was earned at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and she holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in music education and educational administration.

Kari and her husband, Steve, reside in Chatham with sons Connor and Tyler. They are active at First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville where she has directed the Adult Choir for the past 15 years.

She loves meeting people and assisting them in protecting their loved ones through advanced planning.

Rick Henke

Family Service Director, Advance Planning Specialist

Rick Henke joined Butler Funeral Homes in October 2006 and currently serves as a Family Service Director and Advance Planning Specialist.

Rick was born and raised on a farm in Northwest Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State University and began teaching shop (metal and power mechanics) in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Rick entered the insurance business in 1975 as a producer for Farm Bureau Insurance of Iowa. He held several producer positions, until joining Pekin Insurance as a Field Manager in 1987.

Rick moved to Illinois in 1992 where met his wife Susan. They wed in 1993. He has two children, Andrew Henke of Cleveland, OH and Jennifer Fischer of Rochester, IL. He has one wonderful grandson, Caleb, age 6.

Rick enjoys woodworking, landscaping and building and maintaining computers.

Bev Hoffman

Advance Planning & Continued Care Administrative Assistant

Bev Hoffman joined Butler Funeral Homes in January of 2003. She took advantage of the state's early retirement incentive after working 30 years at the Department of Public Aid in a variety of capacities, from caseworker to senior public service administrator.Bev is active in the Cathedral Parish, volunteers in the Pastoral Care program at Memorial Medical Center and is currently enrolled in the two-year Lay Ministry program through the Springfield Diocese, specializing in Pastoral Care. She is a graduate of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce Leadership Springfield program, secretary of the Pregnancy Care Center board and is a member of the Friends of Athens Library.

Bev enjoys family, working in her yard, reading and travel. She is married and has one son.