Ralph Lewis Butzow, 89, of Wellington, IL passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at his home. He was born on 17 July 1935, at the same home in rural Wellington, the son of Lewis and Anna (McCray) Butzow. He married Yvonne Regnier on August 7, 1966, at the Watseka United Methodist Church. She preceded him in death.
He is survived by two daughters, Roxanne (Michael) Siemers of Milford, IL and Rebecca (Tim) Head of Chicago, IL; one brother, Norman (Lois) Butzow of Milford, IL; two sisters-in-law, JoAnn Butzow of Wellington, IL and Sallee Butzow of Divernon, IL; four grandchildren, Kayla (Kyle) Ronchetto, Malcolm Head, Milton Head, and Caleb Siemers; one great-grandson, Joseph Lewis Ronchetto; and four nieces and nephews, Doug (Linda) Butzow, Andrea (Denny) Glotzbach, Heidi (Kevin) Kuell, and Sonya (John) Kowalski.
In addition to his wife, Yvonne, Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Anna Butzow; infant daughter, Rachael Butzow; and two brothers, Ross Butzow and Stanley Butzow.
Ralph, a lifelong farmer, lived all of his life in Iroquois County. After attending college for a year, he decided to return to the farm where he worked until he retired. Ralph also ran a corn shelling business for decades. Married to his wife Yvonne for 26 years, Ralph embraced his roles of husband and father. In addition to being dedicated to his family, Ralph was earnest in his Christian faith and served in various roles throughout his life at the United Brethren Church in Claytonville, including teaching adult Sunday School and Wednesday night Bible studies for many years.
Both in his Bible teaching and love of writing, Ralph enjoyed working with words. While during the season of working and raising a family, Ralph wrote little, but when he turned 80, Ralph began an almost decade-long love of writing poetry. Ralph became an active member of the Milford Poetry Club attending monthly meetings at the Milford library and self-published two books of poetry.
Visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St., Hoopeston, IL. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, February 7, 2025, at the Claytonville United Brethren Church (stairs required for entry to church) 106 E. Elizabeth, Claytonville, IL, with Pastor Kyle Ronchetto officiating. Burial will follow in Amity Cemetery with a luncheon after.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Ralph to the Ford-Iroquois Gideons chapter or United Brethren Missions (Huntington, IN).
Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Ralph’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.
Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.
