Butch Just, age 80, of Mount Vernon, IL, formerly of Sandoval, IL, passed away on December 2, 2024 at Axiom Gardens of Mount Vernon.
He was born on February 13, 1944, at home in Shattuc, IL, the son of the late Julius “Jude” and Anna Mae (DePohtaut) Just. Butch married Janet (Woods-Jones) Just on October 3, 1981, gaining not only a wife but also four bonus children.
Butch is survived by his wife Jan of Carbondale, IL, children Jeff (Dee) Jones, and Jennifer Jones of New Orleans, LA, Julie (Brian) Bird of Makanda, IL, brother James “Jim” Just of Sandoval, IL, sister, Janet Lackey of Mount Vernon, IN, along with 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Judith Saale and Pete Just, son James “Jamie” Jones, and son-in-law Mark Barnhouse.
A 1962 graduate of Carlyle High School, Butch attended SIU Carbondale for a brief time before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Following his military service, Butch worked at Price Right and then Country Fair as a manager of the meat department before advancing to general manager and later the area supervisor working at several stores in the Southern Illinois area. Butch was a trained EMT and taught EMT classes throughout the Centralia and Sandoval area along with being a Sandoval Fireman and later the Sandoval Fire Chief. Upon leaving the Fire Department, Butch worked at Murray Center until his illness and subsequent retirement in 2017. Butch was a long-term member of Central City Baptist Church and a proud member of the American Legion.
Found memories of “PaPa Butch” include attending the Fireman’s Picnic, visiting him at the fire station, playing pool and drinking soda in Nin and PaPa’s basement, enjoying fresh veggies and beautiful sunflowers out of their big garden in the backyard, his amazing yearly Christmas lights display, playing catch in the front yard, and the big family Mexico trip for Thanksgiving in 2004. PaPa also loved animals. When you would see him around town in his truck you would frequently see one of his dogs or granddogs with him going for their daily rides.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the individuals who have helped care for Butch since the onset of his illness almost eight years ago. To the staff at Prairie Living at Chautauqua of Carbondale, Axiom Gardens of Mount Vernon (formerly Mount Vernon Health Care Center), and Residential Hospice, we greatly appreciate the love and care you exhibited daily.
A private family service will be held at a later date. The Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, IL 62801 (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Butch’s family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
