Rev. H. Wayne Butcher
December 14, 2012
Rev. Wayne Butcher, 86, passed away at Taylor House Hospice on Friday, December 14, 2012, at 11:20 p.m. Wayne was born on June 27, 1926, in Bloomington, Indiana, to General and Arda (Terrell) Butcher. He was an Army Veteran of WWII. He served 26 months in the service.
Wayne held ministerial license with the United Pentecostal Church International. He pastored a Home Missions Church in Washington, Indiana, before moving to Des Moines. He helped build and pastored the Calvary Apostolic Church located at 2611 Easton Blvd. in Des Moines for almost 43 years. Wayne served the Iowa Section of the North Central District as Secretary and Treasurer. Later he became the Home Missions Director and Presbyter of the Iowa District. After retiring from the church, he gave his time and effort to helping small churches.
Survivors include his wife, Berneice Sunshine of 65 years; his two sons and their wives, Timothy and Helen Butcher and Marc and Vivian Butcher, both of Martensdale, Iowa; one daughter and her husband, Tamra and Rick Kiel of West Des Moines; ten grandchildren, Brent, Corey, Joshua, and Katie Butcher, Ashley, Nathaniel, and Alix Essick, and Emily, Christopher, and Kaley Kiel; four great-grandchildren, Anden Butcher, Landon Essick, and Macy and Cameron Steele; brother, Harold; and sisters, Leah, Shirley, and Sharon.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bob, John, and Max; and sister, Mary.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, December 19, 2012, at Calvary Apostolic Church, 2611 Easton Blvd., Des Moines, with burial following at Altoona Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., also at the church.
If desired, memorial contributions may be directed to the family for distribution at their discretion.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Barbara J. Jay
12/27/2012
Tim and family, I am very sorry for you loss. My Dad passed away last year, and I know how difficult it is.
B.Jay
Helen's coworker
Raine Ramsey
12/18/2012
An image I'm sure that was born of GOD, floated down upon me when I heard of Brother Butcher's passing. Walking along with children surrounding him, holding his hands, leading their path into the sunshine. I felt surely GOD called him home that fateful day, because he needed his help in heaven too!! I can imagine no one that I would feel safer with ushering me to the other side.
I recall the day I was baptised, very cautiously and nervously I walked into the water. At 23, I felt like I was 5 and was not so sure about being buried under the water... He held out his hands and I walked towards him in trust... and that is the feeling I felt when I saw this image in my mind.
He ministered to 5 generations of my family. Baptised me, came to our family as we struggled to know what the right decision was when faced with removing my sister from life support. Carried us through the funeral and you know, his teachings were never far from our thoughts. Recently, even though he was long retired and what seemed to be a "coincidence" which we know those are just GOD things. He appeared at the hopes and wishes of my mother at the hospital with his own son, just a few doors down from my brothers hospital room as he struggled to stay alive. Just last year he was praying death away and my brother still walks this earth even though he ws not expected to live out the weekend.
What a profound and marvelous life to live, to impact so many lives. The ripples continue to reach out farther than I am sure he ever knew.
Bless his heart and God Speed!!
xoxo
Darwin Schmig
12/18/2012
Brother Butcher would tease us about leaving God's country in Indiana to come to this great desert place in Iowa. Every Christmas I would thank him and Sister Butcher for making the long journey just for me. While you are greatly missed, we will soon be walking the Streets of Gold with you.
Craig & Lisa Fritchley
12/17/2012
Bro Butcher's kind but direct words of counsel while we pastored in Ames will always be remembered. He helped me see the bigger picture of ministry and I will be forever grateful.
Our family enjoyed the visits to their home and my young children loved playing Bro Butcher in ping pong in the basement.
Sis. Butcher, you are in our prayers. Thanks for sharing your husband with the rest of us.
Christina (Vignovich) Cortez and Eutiquio Cortez
12/17/2012
Dear Sis Butcher and Family:
Bro. Butcher will be greatly missed. His legacy will live on through the many lives he has touched, including mine. You both dedicated me as a baby and I will never forget what you both have taught me through the years. It is sad that this world has lost such a great man of God. Find peace in knowing that he is shouting and praising on the streets of gold. Will be keeping you all in our prayers during this time.
KAREY DAVIS-ASHCRAFT
12/17/2012
Tho' we were only in Des Moines for 3 years; memories were made that will never be forgotten and Bro. Butcher will continue to live on in our hearts!
The Rickmans~
Rev. Paul Kinney
12/16/2012
Dear Sis Butcher and Family,
So many memories of Bro Butcher - and all of you, when I was a kid growing up in Iowa. Coming to services in Des Moines was a always a special treat, hearing Bro Butcher & Bro Thompson sing.
Bro Butcher was a spiritual giant, a gentle and Godly man that I respected greatly. Although I haven't seen you all for years, I wanted you to know that I've held Bro Butcher in high regard. He was truly an honorable man of God.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Paul & Brenda Kinney
(formerly of Onawa, Iowa)
Jordan Milligan (Joey)
12/16/2012
I love e butchers very much and a great memory is me and my aunt going over too there house and her and sis.butcher would laugh and talk and bro.butcher would mimic her and him and I would laugh! I had many fond memory's also remembering that he preferred too call me Joey instead of Jordan becuase he liked Joey better! :) he will be greatly missed and he is greatly loved!
Alvin & Betty Gray
12/16/2012
sorry to read of Bro Butcher's passing He was such a great man and a pleasure to hear preach...
Norma (Sams) Butcher
12/16/2012
I have so many wonderful memories of Bro. Butcher and I'm saddened to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful man and a kind and gentle soul. He will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sis. Butcher, Tim, Marc and Tammy. Love and miss you all.
Sheila Woltz
12/16/2012
My first memory of Bro. Butcher was when John and I was dating and the Butcher's opened up their home for me to stay during my visit. (John was living in boiler room). After church service we went over to their home and I had some ink with me and sprayed Bro. Butcher's freshly starched white shirt. I was certain Bro. and Sis. Butcher was going to kick me to the curb or declare me "mentally challenged". Their look was priceless.....Oh ---by the way it was that disappearing ink--so as it dried they chilled out.
He came down to MO. to perform the opening of our wedding ceremony and sang "Our Father Which Aren't In Heaven".....He was a man with much love for people and made you feel like you were "his favorite" every time he was with you. Prayers to all of the Butcher family....but also rejoicing and celebration knowing his race was well ran.
Mavis Bracelin-Niblock
12/15/2012
Many fond memories of Bro. Butcher and his ministry. I remember him preaching about what he thought heaven looked like and how he loved apples and wanted to garden and tend to his trees and plants. Many happy plantings in heaven as you planted many seeds here on earth. You will be greatly missed but your legacy will live on. My thoughts and prayers to Sis. Butcher and family. God Bless! With much love, Mavis.