Joseph B. ‘Butch’ Wiltzius

He was born on Feb. 12, 1928 in Escanaba, son of Joseph B. and Esther (Olson) Wiltzius. Butch graduated from Escanaba High School in 1946.

On June 24, 1950, Butch married Doris Dubord in Schaffer.

Butch was employed with Northwestern Railroad and then Harnischfeger until their closure.

He loved fishing, even though he didn’t eat them. Later in life, Butch took up golfing and even got a hole-in-one at Country Meadow Golf Course where he played almost every morning. He enjoyed volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul until his health failed.

He leaves behind a very special nephew, Ike Herioux, and friends from St. Vincent de Paul, who took him to St. Vinnie’s once a week for lunch since he has been in a nursing home.

Butch is survived by his daughter, Cheryl (Pat) Miller of Gladstone; daughters-in-law, Marlene Wiltzius and Debby Wiltzius; grandchildren, Bryan (Tina) Wiltzius, Joseph (Jackie) Wiltzius, Erin (Josh) Mattonen, Travis (Kristina) Wiltzius and Nicole (Steven) Weber; seven ­great-grandchildren; sisters, Ruth Wiltzius of Escanaba and Floss Vandeville of Florida; brother-in-law, Phil Dubord of Escanaba; sister-in-law, Rita Dubord of Escanaba; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Joseph and Esther and wife, Doris on March 29, 2018, he was preceded in death by two sons, Stan Wiltzius on Oct. 24, 2010 and Michael Wiltzius on March 2, 2011; and brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. The funeral service will follow at 5 p.m. with Rev. Tim Ferguson officiating.

Burial will take place on Wednesday, July 31 at 10:30 a.m. at Gardens of Rest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Vincent de Paul Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting crawfordfuneralhomes.net.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Wiltzius family.