Gary E. Button, 80, of Eldora, Iowa died Saturday, November 28, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at Ivester Church of the Brethren with Pastor Tim Button-Harrison officiating. Burial will be held prior to the funeral service on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 10:00 a.m at Sheller Cemetery north of Ivester, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 30, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora, Iowa.
Gary Elwin Button, son of Glen and Dora Smith Button was born on May 7, 1935 at the farm home in Grundy County, Iowa. He attended Eldora Community Schools, graduating from Eldora High School in 1953. Gary attended Iowa State University and then transferred to McPherson College where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in teaching. He also participated in football and track during his collegiate years. On November 29, 1957, Gary married Caryl R. McRoberts in Waterloo, Iowa. Gary taught in the communities of Stanhope, Wellsburg and Reinbeck where he taught Industrial Arts, Mathematics and science. Following his teaching career, he worked for the Sinclair Corporation where he traveled throughout the Midwest building anhydrous ammonia plants before returning to his lifelong vocation of farming. Gary was a lifelong member of the Ivester Church of the Brethren, where he served as a board member, Deacon, Steward and teacher. He also served on the Eldora New Providence School Board, Habitat for Humanity, Hardin County Farm Museum Board, Camp Pine Lake Board and the Sheller Cemetery Board. He was a past member of the Lions and Kiwanis Clubs, and the Studebaker Club. Gary enjoyed spending time with his family. He also enjoyed antique tractors, Studebakers and was a man of the land at peace at home. His love of Industrial Arts was manifested in his interests in mentoring projects of wood and metal.
Survivors include his loving wife, Caryl of 58 years; sons, Mark (Kathy) Button of Elizabeth, CO; Todd (Margie) Button of Eldora, IA; Jon (Heidi) Button of Dallas, TX; Lynn (Marcia) Button of Waconia, MN; daughter, Sara (David) Bahn of Springfield, IL; grandchildren, Hannah, Drew, Amy, Tate (Hunter), Jacob, Kylee, Kaleb, Madalyn, Macy and Silje Button; and his sister, Jean(Marvin) Heikens of Hubbard, IA.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Glendon Button.