Betty Jean Butts, 88 years, of Carman, Illinois and formerly of West Burlington and Fort Madison, Iowa died at 3:40 pm Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Great River Hospice House, West Burlington, Iowa. She was born March 26, 1924 at Fort Madison, Iowa, a daughter of William David and Lela Mae (Yeager) Boyles. On December 14, 1945, she married Howard Glenn Butts at Burlington, Iowa. He preceded her in death.

Betty was raised in Fort Madison, where she graduated from Fort Madison High School in 1942. She moved to West Burlington after she was married. She worked for Sylvania and then International Resistance Company (IRC)/ Transworld (TRW), retiring after 24 years of service. She was a past member of the West Burlington United Methodist Church, West Burlington. She then became a member of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Fort Madison, Iowa; as well as a member of the Moose, VFW, Eastern Star, White Shrine, and Passport Club.

She is survived by her two sons: David G. (wife Barbara) Butts, of West Burlington, Iowa; William "Bill" J. (wife Karen) Butts, of Kahoka, Missouri; five daughters: Sandra L.(husband Kenneth) Carpenter, of Palm Coast, Florida; Bonita J. (husband Jerry) Cokel, of Media, Illinois; Karen S.(husband Clinton) West, of Burlington, Iowa; Linda L. (husband Randall) Carpenter, of Carman, Illinois; Margie A. (husband Kim) King, of Burlington, Iowa; 18 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 22 step-great grandchildren, and one great great grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother: William R. Boyles and one sister: Margery M. Griffin.

Friends may call after 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, where the family will meet friends from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, Wednesday evening. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, Iowa, with Rev. John Simpson, officiating. Burial will be at the Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Madison, Iowa. A memorial has been established for the First Christian Church or the Great River Hospice House, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel.