Kim M. Butler

Kim Butler was born Oct. 26, 1959.  She lived in Plymouth all of her life.  She moved to Fishers, IN to Hamilton Trace Rehab to recover from Covid Pneumonia.  She lived at Hamilton Trace from Jan. 15, 2022 – Nov. 15, 2023.

Her parents, Lyman and Velma Butler made sure Kim had a wonderful life.  She went to Plymouth Community Schools and by her year after Kindergarten was able to be in the Special Education program each year.  Her last year in a Special Education class was at 18 years old.  That summer, she started her working career at MSDC in Plymouth where she learned so many wonderful life skills.

Along with going to MSDC daily, she also started singing in the 1

st

United Methodist Choir in Plymouth, IN when she was 21.  She sang in the choir for 38 years.  Due to her commitment and love for singing in the choir and giving her best for each Sunday worship song, the choir honored her by choosing a benediction song that was given in her honor titled, “Go Now in Peace.”  It was a choir unanimous decision to pick a song in her honor.

Kim participated in Special Olympics in her teen age years in swimming and several events in Track & Field.  She participated locally and at the state level.  In fact, in 1989, her mother Velma was able to “connect” with the right people at the state games, so Kim was able to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” at the State Opening Games in Terre Haute, IN. In her adult years she participated yearly in Special Olympics Bowling.

Kim worked part-time at Taco Bell for 27 years.  While there she took great pride in working there 3 or 4 days a week part-time.  She thoroughly enjoyed doing the tasks she needed to do to help Taco Bell with their needs.  She took pride in her new Taco Bell outfit and would wear it proudly each time she went to work.  Her last 2 – 4 years she worked 1 -2 days a week and a shorter shift but she so enjoyed working there.

Kim decided a change would be good for her so started going to Pathfinder’s Day Services her last 5 – 8 years.  It was like a “graduation” from MSDC for her.  She so enjoyed working on different crafts she was able to make.  She did hooked rugs, loom knitting, yarn picture art, simple sewing projects, and enjoyed conversing with her other handicapped friends.

Kim as a handicapped adult at about age 40 was able to move into a company provided home for handicapped adults. Pathfinders, the company that houses the handicapped and provides the adult workers to supervise and assist the handicapped adults was a great place for Kim to continue to become a more independent handicapped adult.  She had so many wonderful caretakers while living in their house called the “Jefferson Street House.”  Two caretakers have been with Kim for almost 20 years!  Special thanks to Tracy Stacy and Nancy Arriaga and their commitment to Pathfinder’s and being a caretaker at the house Kim lived in for about 20 years.  Also, a special thanks to Tara Gibson who became the house manager a few years ago.

Kim was loved by all who met her.  In fact, after moving to Hamilton Trace for her Long-Term Care, she again became a favorite patient by the many who assisted her.  I was told by many workers that “she was a bright light in their life” and they will miss her.

Kim Marie Butler is survived by her sister, Beth Butler, her brother Todd Butler, her sister-in-law Karen Butler, and Todd & Karen’s 3 adult children, nephews: Andrew Butler and Kyle Butler and niece Haley Butler.  She also had a tremendous support group through the 1

st

United Methodist Church and the church choir!  Her new place of worship was Crossroads Church.  Misty Werley, the adult leader for the handicapped adult group, “Friends of Jesus” Kim greatly enjoyed being a part of weekly at this church.  Her huge, handicapped community, her housemates, and many other wonderful, handicapped friends and her family and other “special friends” were dear to her heart!

Visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:00 pm Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Crossroads Church, 1650 North Oak Drive, Plymouth, Indiana 46563.  A funeral service will he held at 2:00 pm Saturday at the church with Pastor Collin Seitz officiating.  Burial will follow at New Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth.

Memorial contributions may be made in Kim’s memory to Marshall-Starke Development Center, 1901 Pidco Drive, Plymouth, Indiana 46563.