Brian R. Buttolph

Brian R. Buttolph, 55, of Flat Rock, IL, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the evening of Monday, February 16, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, after a brief yet aggressive battle with cancer. He was born on April 27, 1970, in Wadsworth, OH, to Russell Lee and Nancy Ann Buttolph. Brian, along with the rest of his family, moved to Flat Rock in the fall of 1975, where he began kindergarten and attended Flat Rock Grade School through the eighth grade. Upon graduating from grade school in 1984, Brian graduated from Robinson High School in 1988. He then pursued higher education in the field and hobby he was most passionate about, and the industry he worked in until his final days on earth: automotive.

Brian graduated from Olney Central College in 1990 with a two-year certificate in Automotive Mechanics. He worked his way through school by delivering parts for Hutton's Big A in Robinson from 1988 to 1990. Upon completion of his education, he went to work for Dan Wachtel Ford Chrysler Dodge Plymouth in Robinson from 1990 to 1993. In 1991, Brian met the love of his life, Penny Joetta Wiseman, and on April 3, 1993, they were married at Allison Prairie Church of the Brethren.

Brian had a few stops along the way in his career, working at Olney Ford from 1993 to 1995, and then managing a fleet of vans for Schrey Systems in Olney from 1995 to 2000. After a brief stay at Hodson's Equipment and Auto Sales in 2000, Brian set out on one of the proudest achievements of his life by opening his own independent shop in Flat Rock in September 2001, which he called "Brian's Garage." However, his proudest achievement came on September 23, 2005, when he welcomed his firstborn son and only child, Kenneth Buttolph, into the world.

Times were rough as business slowed, but Brian kept pressing on, supporting the family on little. Yet, he kept the ends met, and he did so until 2016, when, due to rising costs, he was forced to close his shop, but was offered a job at Sparks Autocare in Oblong, where he worked from 2016 to 2021. Brian enjoyed spending time with his family and worked a few other jobs in the auto industry until returning to Sparks Autocare in January 2026, where he worked until he became too ill to work and went to his forever home in the Land Beyond the River.

Brian enjoyed many active hobbies in life, as he was an active fisherman and enjoyed being outside as much as possible, doing outdoor chores like mowing grass, trimming shrubs, and he particularly enjoyed gardening. One of his favorite hobbies was playing with his antique tractors, which he and his son, Kenny, enjoyed together deeply. Brian was a great family man, as he loved his lovely bride and his only son more than he loved anyone else in the world.

Brian was active in the community, as he was a Flat Rock institution. Everyone in Flat Rock knew him, and he never met a stranger. He served on the Village Board from the mid-2000s until his passing. He was the Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 901 in Robinson from 2013 to 2017, and Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 901 in Robinson. Brian was an active member of the Eastern Illinois Sportsmans Club in rural Robinson from 2017 until he met back up with his Maker.

Most importantly, Brian was a man of profound faith. He clung to the Lord like a rock as he loved to read his Bible, and he loved to listen to his Christian music. We find comfort in the fact that Brian no longer suffers, for he has gone to the promised land, where he suffers no more and is with his loved ones whom he pined to see again someday. Most importantly, he gets to be in the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ, forever and ever, and someday, let it be we all get to meet back up with Brian in Heaven.

Brian was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lawrence and Lois Buttolph (Lodi, OH), and the Reverend Kenneth and Blanche Fisher (rural Flat Rock), and his father, Russell Buttolph (Robinson). He is survived by his wife, Penny Buttolph (Flat Rock); his son, Kenneth Buttolph (Flat Rock); his mother, Nancy Buttolph (Robinson); his sister and brother-in-law, Melisa and Jim Chapman (Robinson), and brother and sister-in-law, Jeff and Shellia Buttolph (rural Flat Rock).

A time of visitation will be held from 10:00-11:30 a.m. on Monday, February 23rd, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Flat Rock. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11:30 a.m., with Garth Whewell officiating. For those unable to attend, a recording of the service will be available shortly after its conclusion and will be available at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream.

Burial will be in the Jones Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, with envelopes available at the funeral home. Online donations may be made using the link below.