Edward Basil Butts, 93, of rural Arcola, died at 10:20 p.m. Friday, January 1, 2021, at Miller's Merry Manor, Garrett, where he had been a resident the past six weeks.

He was born September 12, 1927, in Allen County, Indiana, a son of the late George W. and Ona Pearl (Ruby) Butts. He grew up on a farm in the Arcola area.

He married Beverly Mae Strack. Beverly died in 1980. He then married Edith Hauch. She preceded him in death.

A career-long farmer, he raised pigs for many years in addition to growing crops. He participated in the annual Columbia City Antique Tractor parade.

He liked to fish at Loon Lake and on family and friend vacations to Tennessee and Canada. He enjoyed dinners with family and friends.

He had two children, a son, David Edward Butts, who preceded him in death, and a daughter, Barbara Sue (Nelson) Arnold of Fort Wayne, who survives. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Lona Butts of Garrett; grandchildren, Adam Arnold, Amy Arnold, Aaron (Bradley) Houser, and George (Dianna) Butts; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Betty E. Kessler and a brother Tommy (Ruby) Butts; two sisters-in-law, Sue Butts, and Loretta Butts.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by brothers, Richard, Harold, and Leo Butts, and a sister, Georgia Butts.

The funeral service is 2 p.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at the St Patrick's Cemetery on Bass Road. Visitation is from noon until the service Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Ed's honor are to the Carroll High School FFA club.