Brian "Butch" Utter Obituary (1942

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 22, 2014, at the Milford United Methodist Church. A reception will follow down in the fellowship hall of the church following the service. Register book available for signing on Thursday, Feb. 20, 9:00-4:00 pm and Friday, 9:00-4:00 pm at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed in care of the family. Brian "Butch" Utter was born July 8, 1942, in Wheatland, Wyoming to James Emerson and Ruth (Cochran) Utter and passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at the age of 71 years 7 months and 3 days. Brian attended and later graduated from Wheatland Public Schools. After high school, Brian studied mechanics at the Milford Technical School before beginning his employment at the Milford Rest Home. Brian was united in marriage to Shirley Stauffer on January 18, 1963 at Bellwood Mennonite Church and to this union five children were born: Tammie, Neal, OJ, and twins, Andy and Curt. Together they lived in Wyoming, Nebraska, Ohio and Indiana before moving back to Milford in 1978. Upon his return, he worked with Sterling Saltzman and purchased "Saltzman Repair" and renamed it "Butch's Welding and Repair" and served the community for over 30 years as a modern blacksmith. In addition to his ability of building and engineering plans for himself and his customers, he also created a side business that featured his talent for metal art and silhouettes. He continued serving the people of Milford through his talents until his health no longer allowed him to do so. Butch enjoyed learning about computers and technology, photography, gardening and loved training his dog how to do tricks. Butch's passion was deeply rooted in his Wyoming farming and his love of tractors and thrashing equipment. He shared this love with his family by attending and participating in tractor pulls. However, the most important thing to Butch was his family. Survivors include his daughter, Tammie Utter, Omaha, sons and daughters-in-law, Neal and Mary Utter, Superior, OJ and Jami Utter, Utica, Andy Utter and Curt and Celeste Utter, all of Wichita, KS, 11 grandchildren, Laura Morley, David Amack, Stephanie Young, Caleb Utter, Noah Utter, Ascha Utter, Elijah Utter, Marc Stephens, Emerson Utter, Natalie Utter and Jonathan Utter; three great-grandchildren, Caleb Amack, Angel and Zoe Young. Other survivors include, sisters, Bonnie DenDooven, Wickenburg, AZ, Chloe and Rod Jones, Laramie, WY, brother, Kevin and Valerie Utter, Fort Collins, CO, sisters-in-law, Kathryn Utter, Hastings, Sharon Utter, Wheatland, WY, an aunt, Glyda May, also of Wheatland, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Butch was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Dennis, Alan, Lynn Utter, and his step-mother, Eileen Utter, and his beloved dog, Maude.