MT. MORRIS — Darlene Elizabeth Butterbaugh, 98, of Mount Morris, IL, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at her home in Mount Morris.
Darlene was born on April 12, 1926 in rural Polo, IL, the daughter of Harvey and Orpha (Gilbert) Butterbaugh. She was baptized at the Dixon Church of the Brethren, where she was a member, and graduated from Dixon High School. She married Dean Butterbaugh on August 28, 1946. Dean and Darlene had three children, Susan, Edward, and Jean. Before the children were born, Darlene worked for Illinois Northern Utilities (now ComEd), then stayed home to raise the children. Later she returned to work as secretary to the Martha Hall Home for Girls, then secretary to the administrator of Sinnissippi Mental Health Center. She retired in 1991.
Darlene enjoyed reading, and had a huge collection of painted eggs, which she displayed every Easter. Her collection grew to over 400 eggs of all sizes. She was choir director for a time at the Dixon Church of the Brethren while her kids were growing up. She enjoyed volunteering for many years at the Leydig Center in Dixon, in the book room. In her later years she became a crossword puzzle master.
Dean and Darlene enjoyed traveling, twice to Europe, then Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Mexico, Canada, and the Panama Canal. For several years they hosted summer exchange students from Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, and visited most of them in their homelands. They also enjoyed dinner theatre at the Pines and Timberlake Playhouse, as well as going on many “Mystery Tours” to fun and interesting places all over the country.
Darlene loved her family first above everything. She was always there to encourage, support, and at times, correct and admonish all of us of every generation, with love that was demonstrated by her faithful phone calls, care packages with homemade goodies, lunches, and gifts. She had a wicked sense of humor, and was always ready for a pizza party!
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Harold Butterbaugh, Velda Block, Lois Kesselring, Viola Holtz, and Marian Miller; husband, Dean; daughter, Sue Weiser; son-in-law Michael Payne; and son, Edward Butterbaugh.
She is survived by her daughter, Jean Payne; grandchildren, Jennifer (Chris) Bergstrom, Erin (Tim) Godbold, and Josh (Jessica) Halter; and by great-grandchildren, Emma and John Godbold, Brady Wheeler, Melany (Ethan) Staley, Kylee and Haylee Halter, and Isabella Bergstrom; and a good number of nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 18, 2025, preceded by a lunch for all who wish to join at 11:30 am, at the Dixon Church of the Brethren, with Bishop Michael Cole and Rev. Rodney Caldwell, co-officiating. A private family burial will follow the service at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Dixon.
Memorials may be given to the Sinnisippi Foundation Good Samaritan Fund, or Loaves and Fish Food Pantry in Mt. Morris, IL.
Arrangements were completed by Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon.
Condolences may be sent to www.prestonschilling.com.
