Obituary: John Butina

As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:

UPDATE: A funeral Mass for John will be 11:00 am Friday, June 2, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church with Fr. John Martignon to officiate. Burial with military Honors will be in the Mt. View Cemetery of South Range. Friends may call on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 9:30 am until 10:45 am at Holy Family Catholic Church of South Range.

John Butina, a lifelong resident of Painesdale, died unexpectedly on January 31, 2023, at his son’s home in Arizona.  He was 83.

John was born on April 4, 1939, to Joseph and Mary (Grentz) Butina.  He grew up in the Seeberville Location of Painesdale and graduated from Jeffers High School in 1957.  After graduating high school, John joined the United States Air Force.  While stationed in Minot, North Dakota, he met the love of his life, Veronika Ingraffia.  They were married on March 3, 1962, and spent 60 happy years together.

After his proud service in the Air Force, John and Ronni returned to Painesdale to raise their family, and care for his parents.  John followed in his father’s footsteps, and became a copper miner, first working at the Champion Mine in Painesdale, then at the White Pine Copper Mine as a driller blaster for many years.  

His family meant everything to him.  Despite his long work days, John attended his four children’s sporting events, band concerts, and other activities whenever possible. Later in life, he attended as many of his grandchildren’s activities as he could, and he and Ronni took them on special trips. He was a truly loving, wonderful dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa.

John had a strong Faith in the Lord, and was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Painesdale, and later of Holy Family Catholic Church in South Range.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

After retirement, John and Ronni enjoyed traveling in the US, and other countries.  John especially enjoyed a trip to Germany and an Alaskan Cruise. John and Ronni played Pinochle daily, as well as Yahtzee and Aggravation, and he was always eager to have their children and grandchildren play with them ~ he enjoyed giving advice about game strategy!  After Mass on Sundays, John loved to go out to Tina’s Katalina restaurant for breakfast with friends.  He also liked to attend Bingo at the Eagle’s in South Range, and buy scratch-off lottery tickets for himself and family members.

John was a proud citizen of the Copper Country.  He loved to garden, and go for walks in the woods, and he didn’t even mind shoveling snow, as long as there wasn’t too much. He was always ready to help others, whether they be family, friends, or strangers in need. During the past several years, John and Ronni spent much of the winter in the Phoenix, Arizona area enjoying the warmth and sunshine with family.

John is survived by his wife, his children: Vicki (Michael) Morin of Marquette, MI, Stephen (Annette) Butina of Painesdale, MI, Rebecca (John) Quinn of Mesa, AZ, Jon Butina, of Gilbert, AZ,  grandchildren: Amanda (Troy) Hop of Grand Rapids, MI, Jessica (Adam) Hanley, of Marquette, MI,  Katelynn (Jake) Tilmann of Farwell, MI, Stephen (Jennifer) Butina of Wausau, WI, Joshua (Chelsy) Quinn of Lone Tree, CO, Andrew (Macy Burns) Quinn of Scottsdale, AZ, Chelsea (Connor Smith) Morin of Edina, MN, Timothy and Xavier Butina of Gilbert AZ, and great-grandchildren:  Nolan and Edison Hop, Oliver Hanley, Eleanor and Alice Tilmann.  He is also survived by two brothers: Martin Butina of South Range, MI, and Jim Butina of Shelby Township & Painesdale, MI, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings: Mary (Marvin) Jones, Magdaline Butina, Joseph Butina, George (Anna) Butina, Steve (Beatrice) Butina, and Rose (Steve) Stemberger.

A funeral Mass for John will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church with burial in the Mt. View Cemetery of South Range later this Spring.

To view John’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt. View Chapel of South Range is assisting the family with the arrangements.