Leila A. Butler

Leila A. (Haring) Butler, age 85 of Clare, passed away Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Woodland Hospice of Mt. Pleasant surrounded by her family. Leila was born on March 20, 1932 to Charles and Floy (Alwood) Haring; the first twin and eighth child of their sixteen. In 1950, she married Donald J. Cotter, Sr., and this union produced three children, Donald J. (Tricia) Cotter, Jr., Roni (Dan) Howard, and Linden (Dorene) Cotter. She always considered them her greatest blessings until she had “Grand” children. In October of 2001, Leila married Raymond R. Butler, her best friend. He preceded her in death in 2008, and her stepson Raymond (Carol) Butler survives them. Leila worked as a waitress and small business owner, and she met many people who quickly became lifelong friends along the way. She enjoyed bowling and playing softball with her sisters in many Clare leagues. If you knew Leila, you knew that everything was big, larger than life, including her family, her hair, her car, her jewelry, and her kisses. She will always be remembered fondly for her unconditional love, strength, and empathy for others. She was a feisty woman who loved to make others smile, even at the end of her life, having been quick with jokes and witty one liners. Throughout her life, Leila lost many family members. A piece of her died with each one, most notably when her twin sister Laila Phillips died in 1995. Other siblings preceding her in death include; brothers Warren (Bernice), Jay (Elaine), Carl (Ruth), Frank (Clara), and Lanny Haring, sisters Donna (John) Colosky, Dolores (Milan) Robison, and Drucilla Bigelow, and brother-in-law Bob Mitchell. Other than her children, Leila is survived by her sisters Denise (Bud) Way, Glenda (Art) Baker, Lynda (Bob) Hitchcock, Margo (Rev) Benchley, and Sharla Mitchell, her brother Jim (Jeanette) Haring, her brothers-in-law Don Bigelow and Merle (Wilma) Phillips, and her sister-in-law Pat Haring. Also surviving are her cherished “grand”children Lisa (Eric Smock), Spencer, Chloe, and Marcus Lynch, Sara (Todd) and Hayden Hunt, Allison (Matt), Addie, and Weston Hudson, Andrea Cotter, Sean and Michelle Cotter, and step “Grands” Jason Howard, and Jamie (Jason), Isaac, Ameilia, and Spencer Williams. Funeral services for Leila will take place on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the Rosebush United Methodist Church, where she was a member, with Pastor Joe Beaven officiating. Visitation will be held at the Clare location of the Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home on Monday from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. and from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. Burial will take place in the Vernon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Rosebush United Methodist Church, Woodland Hospice, or the Isabella County Medical Care Facility Comfort Care Unit. Those who are unable to attend may leave a condolence at www.stephenson-wyman.com

Leila A. Butler

March 20, 1932 - June 16, 2017