Patricia "Pat" (Keener) Butler

SALEM - Patricia “Pat” Keener Butler, age 92, of Salem, died, June 1, 2019 peacefully with loved ones by her side. She was born February 24, 1927 in Salem, Ohio, the daughter of Samuel “Sam” Floyd and Bernice “Becie” (Frizzell) Keener.

Pat graduated from Salem High School in 1945 and started flying at 17. She later earned her private pilot license (certificate) making her father, Sam, a flying entrepreneur, very proud. She flew her Luscombe tail dragger to Denison University in Granville, Ohio, where she majored in English graduating four years later. Pat was active in the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and met her husband, Bill Butler, while attending college. Pat and Bill married three weeks after graduation from Denison University in Salem.

The newlyweds lived in Sandusky, Ohio for several years before moving back to Salem in the mid-fifties. Pat spent her life as a homemaker and volunteered as a Gray Lady for 25 years at the Salem hospital. She also loved spending time golfing, gardening, riding horses and plowing neighbor’s driveways during the harsh Ohio winters. She traveled to the family lake house in Keowee Key (Salem), South Carolina and often visited her two children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren in Georgia, Maryland and California.

Pat and Bill were married in the First Presbyterian Church of Salem and she remained a faithful member throughout her lifetime. She was a deacon and headed up the communion committee among other volunteer efforts with the church. She was also a lifetime member of the Salem Golf Club and enjoyed many dinners with life-long friends several times a week.

An infant son, Christopher Keener Butler; half-brother, John F Keener; and husband, Bill Butler of 64 years preceded her in death.

Pat, better known and loved by all as Granny, is survived by a son, Jeffrey (CB) William Butler of Athens, Georgia; a daughter, Amy (Donald) Butler Koranda of Germantown, Maryland; four grandchildren to whom she was devoted including: Christopher (Kathleen) William Koranda of Menlo Park, California; Matthew (Jennifer) Butler Koranda of Costa Mesa, California; Michael (SiSi) Patrick Koranda of Santa Monica, California and William Harris Butler of Chicago, Illinois; three great-granddaughters, Teagan, Tessa and Stella; one great-grandson, Jordan; three nieces and a nephew.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 26 at the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Hal Shafer officiating. Calling hours will be held at the church on July 26 from 12:00 – 2:00 followed by the service. The family will privately scatter Pat’s ashes per her wishes.

The family wishes to thank ALL the Brookdale Senior Living staff for their loving care and support of Pat for the past four and a half years.  She was also blessed with devoted   Visiting Angels and private caregivers including M Susan Frenger, Diane Perkins, Nancy Urs, Nancy Miller, Missy Morris, Sheena Burdick, Georgia Marks, Genevela Campbell and Shandria Campbell. Our sincere thanks for providing her with the quality of life wanted by all.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 436 East Second Street, Salem, OH 44460 or the Alzheimer’s Association; Alzheimer’s Association, Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, 3711 Starr Centre Drive Suite 4, Canfield, OH 44406.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia "Pat" (Keener) Butler, please visit our floral store.