In 1943 John E. Butler, Sr. entered the U.S. Army Air Force. Committed to serving God and Country, the young 18-year-old joined the 398th Bomber Group of 603 Squadron and was small enough to fit into a B-17 ball-turret as the gunner.

On his 16th mission over Germany, Butler's plane was set afire, and the crew bailed near Leipzig, Germany. Taken as a prisoner of war, he was shuttled from the POW camp at Stettin on the Baltic Sea to Nuremberg to Munich. He endured Germany's harsh winter of 1945 and the bad soup that appeared to be boiled water with grass.

The former turret gunner passed away Tuesday morning June 9, 2009 in the Hospice House of the Hospice of North Central Ohio.

Born John Edward Butler on February 3, 1925 in Olive Hill, Kentucky to William and Myrtle (Stone) Butler, he came to Mansfield following the war to find employment and a future.

He completed his education by graduating from Mansfield Senior High School, and later attended The Ohio State University.

John landed a job with the then thriving Westinghouse Company, and he served there 41 years, retiring in 1986.

He was a member of North Central Ohio American Ex-POWs ~ and faithfully attended their monthly meetings in Wooster ~ Disable American Veterans and the Perrysville Veterans of Foreign Wars.

53 years ago John offered the basement of his home as the first meeting place for the Lexington Church of the Nazarene. The congregation outgrew the basement to meet in a tent, and later to their present building on Clever Lane. Described as a "pillar of the church", John had served on the church board this entire time. Evenings and weekends, John spent any free time, first building the church, and later maintaining it. He also served as church treasurer, led youth groups, and ensured the property was properly maintained. So loyal was he to the mission of the local church that "John was there every time the church doors were open."

An avid reader, he enjoyed all sorts of books but preferred a good mystery or suspense novel or Louis L'Amour western.

Generally quiet, John was man of few words. But when he spoke, he spoke the truth, and important words of guidance.

He is survived by his wife Pauline (Mentzer) Butler, whom he married November 26, 1983; son and daughter-in-law John, Jr. and Judi Butler of Lexington, daughters and a son-in-law Susan & David McClenathan of Bellville, Julie Seamans of Mansfield and Amy Wright of Cincinnati; eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Marjorie Butler of Sun City, FL; sisters and brothers-in-law Ethel & James Lookabaugh of Mansfield and Mary & Tom Grubb of Grayson, KY; a sister-in-law Sue Butler of Mansfield; nieces and nephews; and his church family.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Norma E. (Stallard) Butler on September 3, 1981; brothers Albert, Russell, Herman, Noah and Lois Butler and a sister Madge Butler.