Obituary of Lillian Carol Butler
Lillian Carol Smith was born on August 20, 1937 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She was one of seven children born to the union of Robert and Mary (Nemeth) Smith. Although Lillian never attended high school, she was very proud to have received her G.E.D. in her later years. Lillian retired from General Motors after working as an assembly line worker for over fifteen years.
She has 4 sons from a previous marriage. Anthony, Thomas, Franklin, and Rick Carroll.
On October 2, 1971, Lillian married the love of her life, Mr. James Butler. Together the couple were blessed with one beautiful daughter plus a step son and step daughter. A devout Christian, Lillian worshipped at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Maybee, Michigan and Olivet Lutheran Church in Sylvania, Ohio. She looked forward to having breakfast with her two best friends Cheryl Francis and Judy Lemley. The trio would spend time together sharing stories and gossiping at the Bob Evans restaurant in Dundee, Michigan. She also enjoyed visiting Firekeepers Casino in Battle Creek, Michigan or Motor City Casino in Detroit, Michigan where she would try her luck pulling the lever on her favorite slot machines. Lillian’s most treasured pastime was spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Lillian Carol Butler, age 85, of Ottawa Lake, Michigan passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the Kingston Care Center of Sylvania in Sylvania, Ohio surrounded by loved ones. Her passing was preceded by her son Thomas Carroll, husband: James C. Butler; her parents: Robert and Mary Smith; two sisters: Viola Schultz and Wilma Heiple; and one brother: William Smith, step son Wesley Butler.
To cherish Lillian’s memory she leaves behind her three sons: Anthony and Maureen Carroll of Texas, Franklin and Regina Carroll of Michigan, and Rick Carroll Michigan; one daughter: Velma and Chris Lewis of Ohio; one step daughter: Tammy Lolley of Florida; one sister: Roberta Mayfield of Oregon; two brothers: Jospeh and Pat Smith, both of Florida; sixteen grandchildren: Angel Carroll, Frank Carroll, Tony Carroll, Thomas Carroll, David Carroll, Jacklyn “Jackie” Carroll, Rick Carroll and Kennedy and Carter Vrooman, Kirsten Davis, Chris Lewis II, Chandler Lewis, Catelynn Lewis and Carter Lewis and two step grandsons; Cason and Carleton Owens. She is also survived by several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
No public services are planned at this time. Lillian’s care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734)529-3156. Cremation has taken place through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.
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