Leona Liggett Butcher, wife of Ward H. Butcher, passed away peacefully in the Comanche County Hospital Sunday morning, December 26, 1976, after an illness of 13 months.Funeral services will be held in the United Methodist church in Coldwater Thursday, December 30, at 2:00 p.m. and will be in charge of the pastor, Rev. Wm. McFall. A eulogy to Mrs. Butcher will be given by Rev. Ralph Barcelo of Andover, Kans., a former Methodist pastor here for seven years when Mrs. Butcher served as the church's voluntary secretary.
Mrs. Barbara Deewall will sing "God Will Take Care of You" and will lead the congregation in singing "Blest Be The Tie That Binds." Organist will be Mrs. Ruth Timmons.
The pallbearers are Garth McMillen, Harold Herd, Jerry Allen, Warren Bransom, Wm. Proctor and Charles Timmons. Burial will be in the family plot in Crown Hill Cemetery, Coldwater.
Obituary. Leona Liggett-Butcher, daughter of Mert and Florence Elizabeth Liggett, was born October 6, 1903, in Elk County, Kans. She passed away in the Comanche County Hospital December 26, 1976, and at the time of her death was 73 years, two months and 20 days of age.
She is survived by her husband, Ward Butcher, and a stepson, Norman W. Butcher, Coldwater, a stepdaughter, Mrs. Freda Miller of Monson, Mass., seven grandchildren, and a host of friends.
After graduating from the Fredonia, Kans., high school, she worked her way through the Emporia State Teachers College and was a teacher 18 years in rural schools at Manhattan and Coldwater one year.
On October 17, 1951, Leona was united in marriage in Corvallis, Ore., with Ward H. Butcher, associate editor and publisher of The Western Star in Coldwater, Kans. She had been employed six years as bookkeeper and reporter for the Gazette-Times of that city.
For nine years she was bookkeeper and journalist at The Western Star office until her husband's retirement in 1960.
Mrs. Butcher had been a B.P.W. club member 36 years, in Manhattan, Corvallis, Ore., and in Coldwater 24 years where she served as president; also as District Director of the B.P.W. in 1959-60. Last fall she was chosen by the local Business and Professional Women's Club as their "Woman of the Year."
She also served as president of the Comanche County Cancer Society and was its publicity director more than 20 years. She was a member for four years of the Grade School Textbook Selection Committee of the Kansas State Textbook Commission.
Leona was a religious leader of her church and served four years as president of the United Methodist Women. Her exemplary Christian life was an inspiration to all.
She was ever thoughtful of others and through encouraging letters, books to young mothers and inspiring tracts, to name a few, she added to the happiness of many.
The following poem, "Heart Gifts," by Helen Steiner Rice gives an indication of how Leona's Christian ministrations brought added joy to the lives of young and old alike:
It's not the things that can be bought that are life's greatest treasure,
It's just the little "heart gifts" that money cannot measure.
A cheerful smile, a friendly word, a sympathetic nod
Are priceless little treasures from the storehouse of God.
They are the things that can't be bought with silver or with gold,
For thoughtfulness and kindness and love are never sold.
They are the priceless things in life for which no one can pay,
And the giver finds rich recompense in giving them away.Leona was one of the county's most beloved women and will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Her parting message, dictated to a nurse during the night was: "Dear Ones: My legacy to you this Christmas is my Faith. I love you all."
Also see:
The Western Star Enters 64th Year of Publication.
Was in Existence One year Before County Was Organized.,
The Western Star, August 1, 1947.The Western Star, published continuously in Coldwater, Comanche County, Kansas, since 1884.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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