Obituary of Al Butler

On January 12, 2021, Al Butler, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away at the age of 77 from cancer. Al Butler was born on November 28, 1943 in Richmondville, NY. He went to SUNY Albany and married his wife Jane on June 30, 1968. He was a real estate broker for 40 years in Moorestown NJ. They raised one daughter, Stephanie, and moved to State College in 2010 to be closer to her, her husband Darrell and their two granddaughters Lauren and Sabrina.

He grew up as the oldest of 6 siblings and started working early to help his family. He plowed snow before school and paid his younger brother to help him clear railroad ties. He believed in education and made sure all of his siblings went to college. In 1975, he bought a rental property in Moorestown and became a student of investment properties. He became a broker to encourage others to buy rental properties too and started South Jersey Investors Group, which now has over 800 members. He cared deeply about his tenants and would find ways to help them if they couldn't pay the rent. That was who he was - he enjoyed calling people to check on them, their families and their businesses. He served as a SCORE mentor for many years. He believed the best about everyone. Later he began printing "million-dollar bills". The back contained 10 acts of kindness. He would hand them out at restaurants, grocery stores, on walks around the neighborhood and, in the past year, to all the healthcare workers who helped him.

Jane and he were involved in both the First United Methodist Church (Moorestown, NJ) and the State College Presbyterian church, where Al served on their building committees. Together they went on long walks, bike trips with OLLI and volunteered with Krislund camp. Last May, they moved to the Village at Penn State.

If you knew Al Butler, you knew his bright eyes, his contagious smile, and hardy laugh. You knew his creative and entertaining stories, and you might have even received one of his million-dollar bills. If he knew you, he would ask you questions and encourage you in everything you were doing.

In addition to his wife, Al is survived by one daughter, Stephanie Butler Velegol and her husband Darrell of State College; four siblings, Roberta Raymond, Janet Mauk, Lawrence Butler, and Lorraine (Reginald) Kingsley; and two grandchildren, Lauren and Sabrina. He was preceded in death by a sister, Charlotte Kincel; and a nephew, Tommy Mauk.

Visitation will be from 6-8 pm on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. Private funeral service will be at State College Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Dean Lindsey officiating.

Entombment will be in State College Presbyterian Church Columbarium.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Housing Transitions.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.