Obituary of Donald J. Butler

Donald J. “Don” Butler

Lafayette Hill, PA - 1937 – 2024

Donald J. Butler, age 86, of Lafayette Hill, PA and a resident of Montgomery County, PA for over 50 years, died on August 9, 2024. He was born in Chestnut Hill on September 14, 1937, to his parents, Joseph and Margaret (Phillips) Butler. Don was one of seven siblings; six brothers and one sister, and he was very close with all of them.  He is survived by his sister, Joan (Robert Niessen) and his brother, Gerard Butler. Don was predeceased by his brothers, Joseph, Robert (“Bubs”), William and John Butler and his granddaughter, Rachel Lancellot.

Don attended St. John’s High School in Philadelphia, PA and played on the basketball team, where he had the nickname “Dunking Don.” After high school, Don proudly served in the United States Army overseas in France and Germany. Following the Army, he was employed by The Reading Railroad, which eventually turned into a career with Conrail, as a Real Estate Manager for over thirty-eight years until his retirement in 1993. 

He met the love of his life, Jean (Cochran), “down the shore” in Margate, NJ and they were together for over 61 years.  Jean passed away in 2022. While working full-time with a young family, he attended night classes on the GI bill in the evening and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Widener University. Don was a member of St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church where he served as a lector for many years and was a strong supporter of St. Phillip’s. 

Don was an avid sports fan and never missed a chance to watch his granddaughters play volleyball. He loved playing tennis with his friends, golf with his wife, Jean and fishing with his son. He was always ready to shoot hoops in the driveway, have a catch in the yard or coach one of his kid’s sports teams. Don loved all the Philly sports teams and followed each of them avidly. He was especially fond of his Phillies and Eagles. Don also liked the Jumble and enjoyed doing the daily “Wordle” and sharing his results in a family group text. He looked forward to getting together at the annual Butler Christmas party with his siblings and catching up with his beloved nieces and nephews and their families. 

He is survived by his daughters, Joan (Richard Lancellot) and Jennifer (late Tim Conway) and son, Donald (Pam). He loved his six grandchildren, Kelly Bogue (David), Jaime Lancellot (Tanner), Jason Conway, Ashley Conway, Emma Butler and Elise Butler, and his two great-grandchildren, John Timothy (JT) and Everett Joseph, so much.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church, 437 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 on August 28, 2024, at 11:00 AM (Visitation from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM). In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Don’s name be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (https://stjude.org/donate) or the Artman Home Benevolent Fund, 250 Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, PA 19002 (https://artmanhome.org/giving).