Cory Chad Butler

Cory Chad Butler, 46, of Grabill, IN, left this earth for a party with his family and friends in heaven on August 4, 2024. He leaves behind a huge contingent of family and friends here on earth, many of whom claim to be Cory’s absolute favorite person or best friend. That’s because Cory had a gift for making everyone feel welcomed, loved, and cherished. He was the first to host parties and was the last to go to bed. He was the one who sang the loudest, the one who loved all the kids, and the one who lit up every room he walked into. He was a party waiting to happen, and the life of the party when it did.

Although he would never have said it, because he didn’t like to hurt people’s feelings, Cory did have people he loved best. Cory pursued his high school sweetheart, Renee Escobedo, for eight years before they married in 2002. They were nearing their 22nd wedding anniversary on September 14, 2024. Renee was Cory’s person, and he loved her with every fiber of his being. Till the end of his life, he professed his love for Renee and his family every single day. The couple loved spending time together at the lake, hanging out with friends and family, singing “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights” together, planning family vacations, watching their sons’ sporting events, going for spins on their golf cart, riding thrill rides at amusement parks, watching scary movies in October and Christmas movies in December, and just being together. Renee calls their life together “the greatest love story of all time.”

Cory was also totally devoted to his sons, Joel Taylor and Collin Butler. He served as coach for their sports teams and was an eager and willing participant in their lives and activities. Collin said, “He was the best dad I could ever have asked for. He was my mentor, my best friend, and I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else. He was always there for me, he was supportive, and he always made sure I knew he was proud of me. When he walked into a room, everyone’s face would light up. My friends all considered him their second father. He was the best dad ever.”

Cory entered this world on September 13, 1977, joining his beloved brother, Scott, as the second son of Howard Scott Butler and Lucinda (Poor) Butler Kerschner. Although shy as a child, Cory grew into his outgoing and friendly nature. He dealt with losing his father at age 16, which helped fuel his love for life and living every second to its fullest.

After graduating from Leo High School in 1996, where only three teachers took early retirement after having Cory as a student, he worked a variety of jobs before landing at Nucor Fasteners in St. Joe, IN, where he was employed as a bolt machinist for over 20 years. Although he cared for his co-workers, Cory’s passion was his lake life and lake family. He eagerly looked forward to lake season every year and spent every moment possible at Coldwater Lake. He was the administrator for the Coldwater Sandbar Facebook group, and loved going on boat rides, hanging out at the sandbar, sitting on his front porch listening to music, and singing along with his lake family.

Cory loved to win, whether as the undefeated champion of the annual family cornhole tournament, or whether arguing with his aunt about the Purdue-IU rivalry. He was fanatical about Indiana University sports, no matter how badly their seasons were going. He was extremely competitive and was known to bend utensils during the annual “Spoons” game at holiday celebrations. He was loyal to a fault and would do anything necessary to help his family and friends when it was needed. He looked out for older relatives, making sure they had the help they needed.

Cory is survived by his wife, Renee (Escobedo) Butler; sons, Joel Taylor and Collin Butler; mother, Lucinda Butler Kerschner; brother, Scott Butler; parents-in-law, Paula and Joseph (Joby) Wilhauck; siblings-in-law, Raquel Escobedo (Steve) Hanic, Robert Escobedo, Regina Escobedo Lawson, Molly Wilhauck (Robert) Messman; aunts, Sue Poor (Mark) Grothaus, Doris Butler (Bert) Lemert, Constance Butler Cumbey, Janice Butler Geiger, and Kim Cordes Wall; uncles, Kurt (Monica) Cordes, Karl (Terri) Cordes, and Kent (Sharon) Cordes and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and hundreds of friends Cory considered his chosen family. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Butler; uncles, Max Butler and Joel Butler; aunt, Linda (Butler) Kanyuh Ragatz; and brothers-in-law, Rudy Escobedo and Samuel Wilhauck.

Funeral Service is 11:00 am, Monday, August 12, 2024 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Pine Valley, 1320 E. Dupont Rd, Fort Wayne with calling two hours prior. Friends and family will have an opportunity to share memories of Cory with the family on Sunday, August 11, 2024 from 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Collin Butler Education Fund. gofundme.com/f/honoring-cory-butler-support-his-legacy