Obituary of Gary Adam Butler

Gary A. Butler, 39, of Niles passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at his home.

He was born during a snowstorm on December 23rd, 1983, and from that day forward he and his grandma (Margaret Butler) formed a very special bond that lasted throughout time. She had a very big part of raising him and would refer to him as her special little guy until her passing in 2018, a loss that Gary just about could not stand.

Gary’s greatest joy was his children, he often took them to various parks in the area when they were young. He spent time playing football in the backyard and going on walks.  He enjoyed watching them drive their mustang car, talking football, and basketball.

He always had a smile on his face unless provoked, of course. Gary was a great help to his parents around the house, fixing whatever needed to be done, no matter the size of the job. He was always there to help fix the family vehicles, changing the oil and the brakes without any complaints. 

When he was 16 years old, he would often buy McDonald’s for a homeless man who lived by the river in the 90’s, even if it meant borrowing money from dad, grandma, or grandpa without saying why. He enjoyed scrap collecting or whatever he considered a treasure. His stepmother would consider everything junk until Gary would get it out of the yard with a smile on his face joking and laughing with her about it.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Margaret Butler.

Gary is survived by his father, Gary (Lisa) Butler of Niles; mother, Toni Talley of Niles; children, Laytin Butler and Taylin Butler of Niles; Ariana and Rorian Butler of Indiana; siblings, Nichole (Chris) Warren of Niles; Brad (Krystal) Oswald of Niles; Amanda (Lucius) Nowling of Belleville; Jesse Burnette of Indiana; Leslie Thompson of Dowagiac; Crystal (Cory) Lozada of Dowagiac; Aaron Talley of Dowagiac; grandparents, Tom and Janice Talley of Niles; a niece, Vera Nowling; along with a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services celebrating Gary will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St, Niles. Visitation will begin at 5:00PM.