Loretta Mary Butts , 87, of Arcola, died peacefully at 1:47 a.m. Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Cedar Creek Assisted Living, Fort Wayne.

Born on January 20, 1936, in Allen County, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Herschel S. and Emma M. (Wyss) Rowley. Growing up near Huntertown, she graduated from Huntertown High School in 1954.

On September 10, 1960, she married Leo S. Butts. They made their home in Arcola, where they raised four children. Leo died on January 25, 1998.

In addition to being a homemaker, she worked in the office at Stoneco from 1983 until retiring in 2003. She belonged to the National Association of Women in Construction. Dedicated to the Arcola community, she was a 50-year member of the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department, serving as an EMT, Department Secretary, and the Women's Auxiliary.

In her senior years, she loved gardening, with her summers spent at Loon Lake. She liked spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed playing Euchre or Uno with her grandkids. She is remembered as a wonderful cook and occasionally delighted in a game of chance at the area casinos.

She was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Arcola.

Surviving are her children, Mark (Kathy) Butts, Marie (Charles) Spicer, and Matt Butts, who live in Arcola, and Marcia (Troy) Dicke of Fort Wayne. Along with her children are her six grandchildren: Ryan (Alyssa) Spicer, Tyler Spicer, Joshua Butts, Lauren Dicke, Alana Butts, and Nathan Dicke, and two great-grandchildren: Rhett and Amelia Spicer.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by her brother, Melvin Rowley.

The Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church celebrated by Father Tony Steinacker at 12305 W Arcola Road, Fort Wayne. Burial will be next to her husband at Covington Memorial Gardens. Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 Thursday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, with a Rosary at 4 p.m. Visitation is also 1 hour before the mass Friday at the church.

Memorials in Loretta's honor are to St Patrick's Catholic Church Building Fund or Masses and the Arcola Community Association.