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 is an active participant in many funeral service organizations such as Selected Independent Funeral Homes and various other educational organizations, and has served in various office capacities for several funeral service organizations. 

 Chris is also active in the Springfield community, and is currently a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Knights of Columbus Council 4179, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Bishop Griffin Assembly, and the American Business Club (past Board Member and past President). Chris also served as a past Board Member for the American Cancer Society, past Chairman of the Business Drive for Springfield College in Illinois, past Division Chairman for the United Way of Central Illinois, and past Ambassador and current member of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. He also previously served as a member of the St. John's Hospital Advisory Council and served on the Renovation Committee for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. 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. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Sangamon County Community Foundation. 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 continued care 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. Most recently, Chris has expanded the Butler organization to include Roselawn Memorial Park and plans to make short and long term renovations to help preserve this beautiful and historic cemetery. In addition, the Park plans include making available more options for memorialization following cremation, a natural burial area, and a Pet Burial cemetery adjacent to the current cemetery. 

Chris and his wife Val, who serves as the Communications and Marketing Coordinator for the organization, enjoy working in their yard, traveling, and spending time with their pets (2 dogs—Turney and Millie {Pippen crossed the Rainbow Bridge in June 2010} and 1 cat—Jordan) in their spare time. Chris 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 and Roselawn Memorial Park.

Zack Wilson

Director of Operations

Zack 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. Zack 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. Zack worked in funeral service in Vincennes for five years before joining the staff of Butler Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center in December of 1999. Zack is a Licensed Funeral Director and Care Specialist, Certified Cremation Specialist, and Celebrant. He also serves as the Director of Operations for all of the Butler family organizations. 

Katie Mendenhall Wilson

Senior Licensed Funeral Director

Katie Mendenhall Wilson was born in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Ken and Joy Mendenhall. She spent most of her life in the New Berlin and Pleasant Plains area. Katie is a 1999 graduate of Pleasant Plains High School and Capital Area Career Center in Health Occupations and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Sciences majoring in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL in 2004. Katie has worked in the funeral service profession since 1999. Katie is a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Springfield, the Sangamon County 4-H Foundation, and serves as a Director for the Sangamon County Fair Board. Katie and her husband, Zack Wilson, live in Chatham with their Golden Retriever, Beau. She enjoys camping, playing softball, showing cattle, reading, and spending time with her family, friends, and animals. Katie proudly joined the Butler Funeral Homes team in July of 2006 and looks forward to continuing to assist area families and growing professionally. 

Val Butler

Communications & Marketing Coordinator

Val (Friedrich) Butler 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 in Communications, specializing in Public Relations. She has also attended the University of Illinois at Springfield, working towards her Master's Degree in Communications, 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. 

Val is married to Chris Butler and has two adorable dogs (Turney and Millie), one special dog who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge (Pippen), and one low-key cat (Jordan). Her interests include spending time with family, writing, traveling, and volunteering, particularly for organizations benefiting the homeless, children and animals.

Jay Edgecomb

Cremation Tribute Center and  Funeral Service Associate

 Jay Edgecomb joined Butler Funeral Homes in October of 2002 as a Pet Services Associate, courier and Funeral Service Associate. Jay currently serves as the 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 Claire and they have two sons, Jim and Paul. 
 

Christina Tebrugge

Operations Administration Specialist

 Christina Tebrugge was born in Evansville, IN and moved to Springfield, IL after graduating from Waverly High School. She received an Associate’s degree from Lincoln Land Community College and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois—Springfield in History. Christina joined the staff of Butler Funeral Homes in 2009 as an Operations Administration Specialist. Before coming to Butler, Christina worked as an administrative assistant for 7 years at a local engineering firm. Christina spent 16 wonderful years married to Steven Tebrugge before he passed away in January, 2008 and has a 6 year old daughter, Natalie. She enjoys spending time and playing with her daughter, reading, swimming and watching movies. Christina and Natalie also share our home with three cats, Vader, Anakin and Luminara and a dog, Clara. 

  
Stephanie Ribordy

Operations Administration Specialist

Stephanie Ribordy was born in Odell, IL and has resided in Springfield since 2004. She is a 1999 graduate of Pontiac Township High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a specialty in Marketing and a minor in Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2004. Stephanie joined the staff of Butler Funeral Homes in 2010 as an Operations Administration Specialist. She is a member of the Young Springfield Professionals Network and volunteers for the Special Olympics. In her spare time she enjoys playing volleyball, softball, working in her yard and being with family and friends.

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.

Rick Henke

Family Service Director and 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. Rick enjoys woodworking, landscaping and building and maintaining computers.

Dan Parriott

Family Service Director and Advance Planning Specialist

Dan joined Butler Funeral Homes in March 2009 and currently serves as a Family Service Director and Advance Planning Specialist. Dan was born in Lawrenceville, IL and raised in Decatur, IL. He served in the United States Navy for 8 years in Port Hueneme, CA and Pearl Harbor, HI and attended Hawaii Pacific University. Dan joined the financial service arena in 1993 as an insurance and investment producer with Citigroup. He was promoted to Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing and served in this position from 1994-2003. He has also held management positions with Charles Schwab and Chase Bank as a producer/manager. 

Dan lived in Hawaii for 13 years where he met his wife Ima. He and his family reside in Springfield with their son Drew and daughters Taylor and Morgan. They are active members at Westside Christian Church in Springfield where they have been teaching 3rd & 4th grade children’s ministry for several years. Dan is 32nd Degree Master Mason with Springfield Masonic Lodge #4. He enjoys golf and fishing, but most of all loves being a husband and father to his family. 

Bev Hoffman

Advance Planning & Continued Care Administrative Assistant

Bev Hoffman joined Butler Funeral Homes in January of 2003, after working for 30 years at the Illinois Department of Public Aid in a variety of capacities—from caseworker to senior public service administrator. Bev is active in the Cathedral Parish and serves as the secretary-treasurer of the National Council of Catholic Women, Chicago Province. She completed the two-year Lay Ministry program through the Springfield Diocese, specializing in Pastoral Care, and is a graduate of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce Leadership Springfield program. Bev volunteers in the Pastoral Care program at Memorial Medical Center, as well as the Pregnancy Care Center, Helping Hands Homeless Shelter and the Friends of Athens Library. Bev enjoys family, working in her yard, reading and travel. She is married to Larry and has one son, Matt. 

Mary Kay Butler-Harrelson

Mary Kay Butler-Harrelson served for more than 30 years as an integral part of Butler Funeral Homes and Cremation Tribute Center. Joining her family’s business in 1979, Mary Kay participated in the planning and organization of corporate and business affairs, program management, staff leadership, and daily business operations. In 1995, Mary Kay began her 15-year career as an Advance Planning Specialist and Family Service Director—a career which she devoted herself to and enjoyed immensely. On May 16, 2010, Mary Kay lost her courageous battle with cancer. Her compassion, humor, and spirit remain an important part of the Butler organization. 

Please click here to view Mary Kay’s on-line life story and guest book.