Danny "Joe" Butts

Danny “Joe” Butts, 73, of Blue Ridge passed away Tuesday, August 7, 2018 in Shelby County. He was born August 27, 1944, in Rush County, the son of Raymond L. and Mary L. (Keith) Nicholson. On November 10, 1979, he married Judith “Judy” Waltz, and she survives. In addition to Judy, Joe is survived by his daughter, Jody Butts Dolder and husband, Matthew, of Indianapolis; son, Jayme Butts and wife, Kayla, of Camby; brothers, Tony Nicholson and wife, Sally, of Shelbyville, and Jim Butts and wife, Susan, of Franklin; granddaughter, Olivia Dolder; father-in-law, Royse Waltz of Fairland; sister-in-law, Joyse Banister of Fairland; nieces, Nikki Vogel and husband, Dan, Amy Johnson and husband, Earl, and Tammy McPherson and husband, Rob, Sarai Banister and Mark Hull, and Amanda Gosser and husband, Brad; nephew, Ty Nicholson and wife, Crystal; and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Vicki “Sue” Nicholson; brother, George Nicholson; and mother-in-law, Doris Waltz. Joe graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1962, and continued his education at Chicago Technical Institute in drafting. He was a faithful member of Blue Ridge Christian Union Church. Prior to retiring, Joe formerly worked at GE/Wellman and PK USA. Later he worked as a security guard at Indiana Downs. He enjoyed gardening, nature and reading. He also enjoyed softball and IU basketball. Joe loved his family and friends, and cherished the time he spent with them. He had a knack of making people laugh. He loved dogs and leaves behind his dogs, Bailey, Phoeby Jo, Buddy, Maggie and Fletcher. He particularly enjoyed walking them. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 10, 2018 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville, and from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Blue Ridge Christian Union Church, 466 S 775 E, Shelbyville, IN. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville, with military graveside rites conducted by the local military committee. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelbyville-Shelby County Animal Shelter, 705 Hale Road, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Joe’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.