Melvin Butler

Melvin Ray Butler, resident of Newkirk, passed away Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Ponca City Medical Center. He was 65. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2009 at Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City, with Pastor Charley Hudspeth of the First Assembly of God Church in Newkirk, presiding. Interment will follow in the Kaw City Grandview Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Melvin was born April 12, 1943 in Arkansas City, Kansas, the son of Howard Fredrick Butler and Helen Urain Denson Butler. He attended the Arkansas City Schools. Melvin was employed at various times in oilfield work and at one time, employed at the Arkansas City packing house. He was also a carpenter that helped build the First Methodist Church North of Arkansas City and had also built his own home at Grainola, Oklahoma. He then became a Certified Nurses Aid and was employed with the Medical Lodge North in Arkansas City and the Pawhuska Nursing Home. He was also a certified auto mechanic. Melvin had completed Bible study course work through the Rhema Bible College in Tulsa. He was married to Anna Mae Hall on November 16, 2007 in Newkirk. He was a member of the Newkirk First Assembly of God Church and his enjoyments included fishing, swimming, reading western books, mechanic work and living for his family. He had spent the past few months taking care of his beloved Anna. He is survived by his wife, Anna, of the home; two sons, John Ray Butler and wife, Keli Butler, and David Michael Butler, all of Pawhuska; three step-children, Steve Rhodd of California, David Rhodd, Enid, Oklahoma, and Crystal Rhodd-Feezor of Ponca City; two sisters, Charlotte Ann Jordan and husband, Dennis, of Newkirk, and Christine Kellogg and husband, Frank, of Pawhuska; eight grandchildren; five step-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Christina Marie Butler; one sister, Alice Cullum; his daughter-in-law, Stephanie Butler and his step-dad, Bob Williams. Casket bearers will be John Butler, David Butler, Michael Eggleston, Mark Eggleston, Dennis Jordan and Steve Harshman.