Rodney Butler

Rodney William Butler, 48, of Scranton, died Feb. 1 at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.

Rodney was the son of Frankey Jo Bartley and William DeLos Butler and was born September 7, 1965 in Jefferson. Rodney grew up in the Jefferson area and attended Jefferson Community Schools. He later attended Community College in Fort Dodge where he earned certificates in automobile mechanics and welding. He loved gardening, canning, auto racing, building race cars, spending time in the garage with his boys and he was an excellent artist. Rodney was married to Micky Durbin and then later married Jayann Forkner.

Rodney will be missed and lovingly remembered by his eight children; three daughters: Amber Godwin (Brandon) of Yale, Courtney Gymer of Yale and Caeddance Butler of Jefferson; five sons: Justin Gymer of Indianola, Seth Butler (Jessica) of Scranton, Shane Butler of Scranton, Dalton and Logan Butler of Jefferson and step-son Derrin Schultz of Scranton; Parents: Frankey Jo and Jim Anderson of Jefferson; Sisters: Carrie Taylor (Jim) of Jefferson and Tracy Degeneffe (Lance) of Ogden; significant other Jerri Schultz of Scranton; Grandchildren: Peyton Butler, Jenna Butler, Adalynn Godwin and Aleigha Schultz; Aunts: Marvel Newell and Arlis Bartley; Uncles: Don Butler, Bob Butler (Betty), Steve Butler (Sharon), Paul Bartley (Joy), Dick Beaman and Dick Leedom; nieces and nephews: Tiffany Taylor (Justin), Brooke Taylor (Curtis), Austin Taylor (Karissa), Abby Delp, Trent Ganoe, Jory Joy, Jaron Turner, Amber and Dominic Degeneffe; Sister-in-law Jenny Gustoff (Donnie) and mother-in-law Linda Gustoff; many cousins and many, many friends.

Rodney was preceded in death by his grandparents: Seth and Clara Butler and Frank and Josephine Bartley; father: William D. Butler; wife: Jayann Butler; father-in-law:  Donald Gustoff, Sr. and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Feb. 6 at the United Methodist Church in Scranton. Visitation was after 1 p.m. on Feb. 5 with family present 5-7 p.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson. Pastor Charlene Wolfe of Hope Parish provided words of comfort. Recorded music played was The Dance, My Brother in Heaven, Go Rest High on That Mountain and Drink a Beer.

Honorary bearers were Shane Butler, Derrin Schultz, Peyton Butler, Jenna Butler, Adalynn Godwin, Jory Joy, Abby Delp, Jaron Turner, Trent Ganoe, Tiffany Taylor, Brooke Taylor and Austin Taylor. Casket bearers were Seth Butler, Matt McDonald, Ryan Tasler, Robert Hadley, Mike Dennhardt and Donnie Daniel. Interment followed the service at the Scranton Township Cemetery near Scranton.

Hastings Funeral Home of Jefferson assisted the family with arrangements, 515-386-8181, www.hastings.funeralplan2.com