Charles O. Butner, 96, Topeka, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2003, in his home. He was born on March 4, 1907 in Dover to William David and Carrie Ellen Waln Butner. Charles was a 1927 graduate of The University of Kansas School of Pharmacy. He was the owner/operator of five Butner IGA stores in the Topeka area. He was an active member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Orient Lodge No. 51, AF&AM, Scottish Rite Bodies, York Rite, Shrine Temple and Beulah Chapter No. 34, OES. Mr. Butner was a past district governor of Rotary International, a member of Topeka Chamber of Commerce, board of directors member with the Salvation Army, and trustee emeritus of Washburn University. He was also past president of the Kansas Food Dealers Association and former director of the National Association of Retail Grocers of the United States. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, reaching the rank of Chief Yeoman. He married Linnie Lucille Mischke on Nov. 27, 1930. She passed away Sept. 30, 1981. Charles married Gertrude Weber Eckert on May 17, 1985. She survives. Other survivors are one son, Steven Edward Butner; stepchildren, Louise Reilly and Ted Eckert; seven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. Mr. Butner will lie in state on Tuesday, beginning at noon, in Penwell-Gabel Mid Town. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, or to Heartland Hospice.
