Dale W. Butler

Dale W. Butler, 84, of Auburn passed away Friday, October 26, 2018, at DeKalb Health in Auburn.

Dale was born April 23, 1934, in Auburn to the late Auber and Ruth (Miller) Butler. He spent his entire life in the construction business, which was a great passion in his life. By the time he was nine he was driving cranes to jobs sites for his father, Auber. He would also work alongside his brother, Kern Butler, with whom he would remain partners in the construction business throughout Dale's life.

After graduation from Spencerville High School in 1952, Dale joined the Navy, where he served in the Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees). At the time, Dale was one of only two people in the history of the Navy to achieve a perfect score on the Seabees entrance examination. During active duty he served in both Puerto Rico and Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Dale returned to the family construction business where he worked alongside his father and brother.

Over the course of seven decades the family business (eventually known as Butler & Butler Construction, Inc.) was involved in numerous heavy construction and commercial projects throughout Indiana and beyond. Dale was the president of the company until his retirement in 2006. He was also a 60-year member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 18.

Dale was a member of the Auburn Elks Lodge #1978, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #566 of Auburn, Concord Masonic Lodge #556 of Spencerville, and the Fort Wayne Mizpah Shrine. He was also a lifetime member of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum.

Dale was a direct descendant of David Butler, one of the first, if not the first, permanent settlers of Dekalb County.

Surviving are four children, Ranae (Austin Berger) Butler of Fort Wayne, Tori (David “Wally” Walburn) Butler of Fort Wayne, Charles Butler of Bryan, Ohio, and Suzann Butler of Raleigh, North Carolina; nine grandchildren, Krystle Schmidt, Kim Hoover, Gabey Walburn, Jacki Walburn, Sam Burger-Butler, Hannah Berger-Butler, Max Berger-Butler, Christin Butler, Adam Butler and his brother, Kern (Anna Mae) Butler. He is also survived by his loving dog Ozzie.

A memorial service will take place at 5 p.m., Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center St., Auburn, with Herb Hoover officiating. The family will receive visitors and friends from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the funeral home. Service to immediately follow. Private Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery in Auburn.

Memorials may be directed to the Allen County SPCA.