Jacob Lee Butler

SGT Jacob Lee Butler, age 24, of Wellsville, KS, permanently stationed at Ft. Riley, KS, died serving his country April 1, 2003, in As Samawah, Iraq. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, April 14, 2003, at the Wellsville Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2003, at Wilson's Funeral Home in Wellsville. Military burial services will follow funeral services at the Wellsville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sgt. Jake Butler Trust Fund in care of Wilson's Funeral Home, P.O. Box 486, Wellsville, KS 66092. Jacob Lee Butler was born April 26, 1978, in Merriam, KS, the son of James C. and Cynthia D. (Aune) Butler. He lived in Merriam for several years and attended South Park Elementary before moving to Wellsville with his family in 1990. He attended the Wellsville Schools and graduated from Wellsville High School in 1996. After high school, Jack worked for Nolkes Cash Saver in Wellsville and for SMH in Olathe before joining the United States Army in November of 1998. He was stationed at Ft. Hood, TX, after basic training, as a cavalry scout for two years. He re-enlisted on March 23, 2001, and was transferred to Ft. Riley, KS. As a cavalry scout, SGT Butler went on tour to Kuwait in 1999 and was later deployed again to Kuwait on his second tour in April of 2002 until October of that same year. In January, SGT Butler went to the Mohave Desert in California for four weeks of desert training and was then deployed to Kuwait once more on March 2, 2003. SGT Butler advanced into Iraq with his unit, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom when he gave his life for his country. Jake was a proud member of the United States Army and a loyal member of the Association of the United States Army. Jake enjoyed hunting, fishing and raising cattle, and loved spending time with his family and friends. He had a great fondness for his two nieces and nephew and will be dearly missed by all who knew him, loved him, and served with him. SGT Butler's awards and decorations include: The Meritorious Service Medal, The Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, The Army Achievement Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with service star, The Good Conduct Medal and The Purple Heart, earned in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jake is survived by his parents of the home in Wellsville; brother, James C. Butler Jr. of Wellsville and his son, Jess Horn; brother and his wife, Joshua M. and Chrissy Butler of Ottawa, and their two daughters, Shelby and Kaitlyn; his twin brother, Joseph D. Butler of Olathe; brother, Justin M. Butler of Wellsville; paternal grandparents, Robert J. and Nancy J. Butler of Baldwin City, KS; four aunts; four uncles; and many cousins. Jack was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents.