Gayle Elliott Butler

Gayle Elliott Butler, age 86, of Ensley township, was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior Tuesday February 24 with his family at his side. Gayle was born January 27 1940 in Ensley township to Donald and Margaret Butler.

Gayle is survived by his wife of 65 years Anita (Stray); Son Todd Butler; Daughter Lisa Rau (Steve); Grandchildren: Julia Rau, Olivia Veker (Erik), Alex Butler, Drew Rau, Susan Rau; three Great-Grandchildren, brothers Greg Butler (Cindy) and Garth Butler and Gayle’s beloved dog Morky.

Gayle is preceded in death by his parents, brother Gary, and life long best friend/fishing partner Robert Squires.

Gayle graduated Howard City High School in 1958 and joined the navy. He began working at Muskegon Piston Ring in Sparta 1960, and in 1961 opened his own beauty/barber shop “The Orchid Room of Beauty” in Sand Lake. Gayle worked many jobs to support his family until the early 1970’s when he began his own business “General Contracting and Excavating”. Gayle ran his excavation and construction company until semi-retirement in 2022.

Gayle was a man with countless talents/hobbies such as cosmetology, artistry, pizza shop owner, roofer, heavy equipment mechanic, trout fly fishing and tying, hatching and raising trout, bow hunting, powder gun hunting and fur trapping.

Gayle will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A celebration of life will be held June 19 @ the RossRoy event barn, Grant Michigan. A 5pm service will be officiated by Pastor Erik Veker, followed at 5:30pm with a time of food, slide shows and a sharing of memories.