Charles Eugene “Butch” Fonner
Funeral services for Charles Eugene “Butch” Fonner, 70, Peace Valley, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 1, 2014, at New Hope Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Fonner died at 9:50 p.m., Saturday, September 27, 2014, at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born July 22, 1944, at Peoria, Illinois, to Harold Eugene Fonner and Mary Catherine Barth Fonner. On December 8, 1973, he was married at Peoria, Illinois, to Shirley AnneGipson. God blessed them with joining their lives and raising six children. Butch graduated from Jamaica High School, Sidell, Illinois, where he was a star football player. He served his country for three years by joining the United States Army Reserves and was discharged with Honors. He worked numerous jobs in his lifetime, including Caterpillar, truck driving for Tobler Transfer, Cabool Lease, West Plains School systems and was the owner/operator of White Church Store. He loved farming; putting in full days of work and still spending time on his tractor and with his cattle, not only providing for his family, but it brought joy to his soul. He also enjoyed bowling with his wife, skiing, was a rodeo cowboy and an incredible fisherman. He loved camping and spending time with his family and friends. Butch was a charitable and giving man and held a special place in his heart for the Convoy of Hope. Mr. Fonner was a born again Christian and was a member of Chapel Hill Baptist Church and presently attended New Hope Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Anne Fonner, of the family home; six children, Shirlene O’Russa, Peoria, Illinois, Rhonda White, husband, Butch, Cabool, Missouri, Beverly Bourazak, Peoria, Illinois, Jon Prince, wife, DeeDee, Mountain View, Missouri, Catherine Pearson, West Plains, Missouri and Charles “Butchy”: Fonner, wife, Mikaela, Monett, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren, Sonya Loman, Jean Ellen O’Russa Merta, Carrie Levey, Jesse McCart, Neal O’Russa, Austen Wood, Nicholas Bourazak, Jacob Prince, Savannah Bailey, Kylie Prince, Justice Pearson, Nathanael Fonner, Katie Prince, Rylee Fonner and Jessie Fonner; seven great-grandchildren and one on the way; two sisters, Carol Ann Hamm, husband, Glenn, State of Illinois and Vickie Cooper, husband, Warren, State of Arizona; one brother, Jeff Fonner, wife, Robin, State of Illinois; special brother to his siblings, Rick Prince; special cousins, Larry, Bud, Terry and Kay Fonner; and many friends, including two devoted friends, Bob Bryan and Virgil Romans, who know his heart and spirit and will carry it on.
His parents, step-mother, Mary Lou Richardson Fonner, and special aunt/mom, Lucille “Tommie” Brazeal and special cousins Charles “Chuck” Fonner, precede him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to New Hope Cemetery, Convoy of Hope or Gideon Bible Society, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Jason Willbanks
September 29, 2014 @ 6:23 pm
From my family and myself my deepest sympathies go out to everyone in the Fonner Family. Mr. Fonner was a dear friend and will be missed deeply. I only hope to have half the joy in life that he had. He raised a lovely and caring family that he was deeply proud of. He will be missed greatly. My heart goes out to you in your time of sorrow. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of his life as well as yours. Much love to the Fonner Family, Jason
Alan, Meda & Garrett Roberts
September 30, 2014 @ 8:19 am
Shirley, Cathy & Butchy, We are so sorry to hear of Mr. Butch’s passing. We really loved living around you all when Rocky was little. Butch was another Grandpa to him. You will always be family to us and we send our heartfelt prayers to you in your time of sorrow. Lean on God. He will be your rock. We Love you!
Mark Jett
September 30, 2014 @ 1:27 pm
I would like to express my sympathies to the family. Although I was not personally acquainted with Mr. Fonner I know he must have been a very special person as evidenced through his children, namely “Butch”. Even the many years since I have seen Butch have not diminished the memories of such a special young man. My thoughts and prays are with you as you go into this new chapter of your life.
Larry Engrissei
October 6, 2014 @ 7:13 pm
Shirley and the entire Fonner family: It was with deep sadness that I learned of Butch’s passing. My brothers and I, especially my older brother Mike, enjoyed summer days on the Fonner farm in Sidell, Illinois visiting with the Fonner family, doing chores and messing with hogs. Butch was always smiling and quick to tell a joke or pull a prank on his unsuspecting cousins and friends. With sincerest condolences, Larry.
Jackie (Engrissei) Verstegen
October 6, 2014 @ 9:04 pm
Shirley, I’am so sorry to hear about Butchy’s passing. Over the years, as we cousins grew up, unfortunately our lives all took different directions, and we all ended spread far apart.
We have so many wonderful memories of times spent together on the farm in Sidell as we were growing. I was in Seattle when I heard the sad news, and so sorry to not have been able to be with you and your family during this time of sorrow. Butch will always be remembered for his
great smile, joyful spirit and his strong faith in his God. He is now in the arms of his
loving God and his beautiful Mother.
You, Catherine and Butchy are in our prayers.
Jim & Jan Greiner
October 9, 2014 @ 1:39 pm
Our deepest sympathy to each of the Fonner family. Butch was a special person and will be missed.