Herbert Butterworth

HUDSON, IL – Herbert J. Butterworth Jr. (“Herb”), 73, of Hudson, IL departed peacefully at home on August 8, 2024 after a 22-month battle with metastatic prostate cancer. Herb was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts and moved to Chicago with his mother and siblings when he was two years old. “Herbie” first met his sweetheart Basia when they were each 14 and 12 years old, kids living in the same Chicago neighborhood. At 17, Herb joined the United States Marines and was deployed to Vietnam. He was permanently retired from the Marines after a head injury from a bomb blast. His family was told that he would not make it, but Herb had other plans, returning home 2 years later. He finally married his soulmate, Barbara “Basia”Orlowski on June 19, 1971. Herb was hardworking and loyal throughout his life. He worked primarily in telecommunications first working as a telephone lineman for Western Electric, then AT&T and finally Lucent Technologies where he was promoted to Project Manager. After a 30-year career, Herb retired in 2002. In 2016, Herb and Basia relocated to Hudson to be close to their grandchildren.

Herb truly enjoyed family vacations in Tomahawk, Wisconsin with extended family. In later years, he loved hosting family get-togethers at his home in Hudson. Much of Herb’s retirement was devoted to caregiving, first his wife, and later his grandchildren. Herb had a soft spot for children, especially his grandchildren and found opportunities to squeeze in a lesson in self- confidence between swashbuckling sword fights, tractor rides, or jumping on the trampoline. Herb made an annual trip to his “home away from home” at the Shades of Green Resort in Walt Disney World.

Herb was deeply loved and respected by all that knew him. He will be sorely missed.

Herb is preceded in death by his mother Annie; father Herbert Sr.; brother Donald (Virginia) Sayers; sister Roberta Sayers; sister Carol (Kenneth) Skowowski; brother Frank; sister-in love Wanda Orlowski, niece Gail Conneely; nephew Robert Guidino; Robert Guidino, Jr., niece-in-love Janet Renda; and nephew-in-love Thomas Renda.

Herb is survived by his wife Barbara, daughters Vicki (Kenneth) Kost, Amy (Nicholas) Rude, grandchildren Alex Fisher, Nadia Rude, Arthur Rude, and Wanda Rude. Brother Richard (Rose) Butterworth, nieces Donna (John) Simons, Kimberley (Andy) Rivera niece-in-love, Evelyn O’Connor, nephews Erik (Lisette) Butterworth, Michael (Colleen) Gudino, Kenneth Skokowski, Daniel (Amanda) Butterworth, nephew-in-love, Robert (Joanne) Rivera, nephew-in-love Luke Neris and Ryan (Thomaie) Neris, sister-in-love Diane (David) Neris brother in love Edward Orlowski and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews and extended family.

As you are able, our family invites you to say your farewell and visit with us. A brief committal ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on September 27, 2024 at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery (20953 W. Hoff Road. Elwood, IL 60421). Then, the family will return to Bloomington for a luncheon at Noon followed by the Celebration of Life Service at 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Bloomington (2502 E College Ave. Bloomington, IL 61704).

The family would like to thank the team at Mid-Illinois Hematology & Oncology Associates and Carle Home Health and Hospice for their care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Faith-in-Action https://bnfia.org.