Betty Jean (Eller) Butterly
January 27, 1938 – January 1, 2025

Betty Jean (Eller) Butterly, 86, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, formerly of Washington, Illinois, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025. Born on January 27, 1938, in Doyle, Tennessee, to Garfield and Mattie Eller, Jean lived a life full of love, service, and dedication to her family and community.

On May 23, 1964, Jean married Robert William Butterly in Streator, Illinois. Their marriage spanned 58 wonderful years until Robert’s passing on January 6, 2022. Together, they built a beautiful family and cherished life’s many blessings.

Jean is survived by her three beloved children: Nancy (Butterly) Wraight of Morton, Illinois, who is married to Brian Wraight and has one daughter, Alexis (Wraight) Geiger (Joe); Dan Butterly of Colorado Springs, Colorado, who is married to Alaine and has one daughter, Jessica; and Patrick Butterly of Indianapolis, Indiana, who is married to Veronica and has two children, Sean and Maddie.

Jean’s professional life was one of service and leadership. She worked for the Washington Courier and the Peoria Journal Star before dedicating 16 years as the director of the Washington Senior Center at St. Mark’s Church. Her commitment to helping others continued into retirement, as she volunteered for 16 years at Proctor Hospital in Peoria, Illinois.

A devoted mother, Jean was actively involved in her children’s education and extracurricular activities. She found joy in volunteering with the Washington Community High School Band Boosters, supporting not only her family but also her community. Her exceptional contributions were recognized in 1998 when she was honored with the prestigious “Washingtonian Award.”

Jean loved to travel and explore, with Colorado and Panama City Beach holding special places in her heart. Most recently, she enjoyed a magical Disney Cruise during the 2024 Christmas holiday with her family. In 2024, she relocated to Colorado Springs to live with her son Dan and daughter-in-law Alaine, spending her final year surrounded by love and care.

Jean will be remembered for her kindness, warmth, and unwavering dedication to her family and community. She was loved greatly by those who knew and worked with her, and most especially by her children.

Per Jean’s wishes, she will be cremated, and her ashes will be spread with her husband’s ashes in Colorado. There will be no visitation or formal service. 

In lieu of flowers, her grandson Sean Patrick Butterly has autism spectrum disorder and will need lifelong care.  Her request was for donations to be sent to the future care of her grandson either electronically using Go Fund Me (https://gofund.me/c55a8991) or mailing a check to be placed into his care fund at Sean Patrick Butterly, PO Box 66, Fortville, IN 46040.  The family believes this is another reflection of Jean’s lifelong commitment to helping others.