Russell "Russ" Buttolph

Russell "Russ" Buttolph, 78, of Robinson, IL, passed away on February 15, 2026, at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson. He was born on January 31, 1948, in Lodi, OH, and grew up there before graduating from Clover Leaf High School in 1966. Soon after, he headed to Cleveland for vocational school to learn body work, ready to make a living with his hands and do honest work the right way. But then his country called his name, and Russ served a tour in Vietnam with the U.S. Army. He didn't like talking about that chapter, and some days, it still haunted him. Even so, he was proud of his service, and proud of the men he served alongside. When he came home, he didn't just move on from that part of his life, he stayed close to the people who understood it. He was a lifetime member of the Robinson VFW, as well as a member of the Vincennes American Legion and the Vincennes DAV, where he served as Commander for a few years.

When Russ came home, he went right to work. He worked as a body man for more than 20 years, and there were times he held down two or even three jobs at once, coming home for supper and heading back out again. He took his role as a provider seriously, and he showed his love in the simplest, most faithful way: by doing what needed to be done. Later, Russ joined the laborers' union and went to work in the maintenance department at Marathon, where he stayed until he retired. His health eventually forced that retirement, but even when his body slowed down, his spirit stayed the same.

Russ was a simple man who enjoyed simple things, and he didn't need much to feel like a day had been a good one. Give him the outdoors, and he was happy. Russ was an outdoorsman who didn't care much for being inside. He liked splitting wood, taking walks in the woods, and admiring old tractors, especially International Harvesters. And when he retired, he and his friend Don had a habit of taking off and disappearing for the day, just roaming and enjoying the freedom to go nowhere in particular. Of course, Russ wasn't only quiet moments and country roads. He liked to talk, and he never knew a stranger. He also loved to tease and pick at you, but always in a good-hearted way. His grandkids knew him as "Pappy," and if you were one of them, you probably got picked on the most, because that's how Pappy showed love.

It's easy to miss how much goodness can be wrapped up in an ordinary life, but Russ had a way of proving that simple faithfulness matters. He was a member of Allison Prairie Church of the Brethren, and his life reminds us that the Lord is often found not in the loud or flashy, but in the steady and true. Today, we find comfort in trusting that the God Russ looked to in this life is the same God who meets him with mercy and peace in the next.

Russ married Nancy Fisher on August 30, 1969, and she survives. He is also survived by his children, Brian (Penny) Buttolph, Melissa (Jim) Chapman, and Jeff (Sheila) Buttolph; by seven grandchildren, Katlin Snider, Kenzie Chapman (Brandon Cassidy), Zachary Buttolph, Karter Chapman (Drew Dressel), Dakota Buttolph, Kaylee Chapman, and Kenneth Buttolph; by three great-grandchildren, Haleigh Rios and two foster children; by his brother, David Buttolph; by his brother-in-law, Charles Kolhoff; by his nieces and nephews, Steven (Jennifer) Buttolph and Amanda (Brian) Most; and by his great-nieces and nephews, Morgan Buttolph, Ryley (Kaitlyn) Brady, and Bryant Most. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence & Lois (McVicker) Buttolph, and his sister, Lois Ann (Buttolph) Kolhoff.

A time of visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 20th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Flat Rock. Funeral services will immediately follow and be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, with his good friend, Don Engel officiating. Burial will be in the Dickinson Cemetery (rural Flat Rock), where military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Army. Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV), with memorial envelopes available at the funeral home. Memorial donations may also be made online using the link below.