Paul David Butler

Paul David Butler lost his valiant battle against severe, fast-paced dementia on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Born to Victor and Dorothy Stein Butler on August 11, 1935, Paul graduated from Holy Rosary High School in 1953 with his cousin and sidekick, Fred Butler. He earned his degree in commerce from The Ohio State University in 1958 and was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960 at Ft. Ord, California, which included a screen appearance in "A Summer Place."

Paul first expressed his talent for fixing things and his love of lawn care at Cohagan Hardware, becoming the store’s stockboy in 1951 and rising to co-owner in 1960 and then owner. He was recognized for distinguished service by the Ohio Hardware Association and successfully completed a course of study in O.M. Scott & Sons’ lawn school. After closing the store in 1985, he applied his easygoing personality and aptitude for numbers as the law firm of Bricker & Eckler's accounts receivable and collections manager until his retirement in 2004. From giving tours of the firm’s historic building and editing its employee newsletter to organizing lunchtime euchre games and social gatherings, Paul was the enthusiastic center of a devoted following at the firm.

During the 1970s, Paul served his German Village community as treasurer of the German Village Society and as a lector and altar server at St. Mary Catholic Church. He was a volunteer gardener during AmeriFlora in 1992. He expressed his artistic creativity through his signature recipes, award-winning pumpkin carving, watercolors, Bob Ross paintings, stained glass windows, interior design, gardening, and designing and building dollhouses, picket fences, Chippendale-style planters and a gazebo. 

Paul’s gentle, congenial, humble and generous ways were his hallmark, best expressed in his close bond with his now-deceased parents-in-law, Jim and Jane Born Heinmiller. With his wife of 55 years, Suzanne, and daughter, Betsy, the inseparable Butler trio cherished being together, even when such a cruel disease invaded their home.

Predeceased by his elder brother, Bob, Paul is also survived by his brothers, Roger (Tina) and Tom. His nieces Debbie Zahara and Dodi (Terry) Weirick, and nephew Michael (Julie) Butler, held a particularly special place in his heart.

Friends are invited to pay their respects to Paul on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Egan-Ryan Northwest Chapel, 4661 Kenny Road, Columbus; Mass of Christian Burial Celebrated by Fr. Michael  Lumpe Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. Michael Church, Worthington, followed by interment at St. Joseph Cemetery, Lockbourne. Those wishing to honor Paul’s memory are encouraged in lieu of flowers to offer Mass intentions for his eternal soul or to contribute to the Paul, Suzanne and Elizabeth Butler Endowment Fund held by the Catholic Foundation. 

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