Robert "Butch" Deming

Robert “Butch” Deming, of Sabula, IA, passed away Tuesday, July 30, at Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue, IA. Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 4, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, IL. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Butch was born February 21, 1940, in Wabasha, MN, son of Lavern and Marian (Schurhammer) Deming. He grew up in Rockford, where he attended local schools. At the age of 17, Butch enlisted in the United States Army, where he served his country honorably for two years, working with ammunition and weapons. After completing his service, Butch returned to Rockford, where he met the love of his life, Angelia Hale. The couple married in 1962. Together they raised three children and celebrated 62 years of marriage.

In their younger days, Butch and Angelia enjoyed dancing and the thrill of riding their Harley. Butch’s professional life was marked by his skills as a machinist, a trade he practiced at Rockford Automation, Metform, Charles Tool Co. in Mt. Carroll, and Roger Struve Sawmill in Sabula. His passion for working with his hands extended beyond his career; he was known to friends and family as a man who could fix anything, from mowers to chainsaws, often inventing gadgets to solve everyday problems for his beloved wife.

In 1969, Butch and his family began building their home outside of Sabula, a project that came to completion in 1974. This family home, built with love and dedication over many weekends, became the heart of countless memories. Butch's love for the Mississippi River drew him to Sabula, where he spent summers camping and fishing on the houseboat he crafted with his own hands. He taught his children to water ski and drive a stick shift.

In his middle years, Butch developed a love for golf, frequently playing at his favorite local courses, Palisades Golf Course in Savanna and Plum River Golf Course in Preston. He proudly achieved three hole-in-ones throughout his golfing years. A man of many talents and interests, Butch was a regular at auctions within a hundred-mile radius, where he collected old tools and woodworking items. He also enjoyed spending his free time at the Sabula VFW, playing cards, drinking Busch Light, and playing a good game of pool with friends.

Butch will be dearly missed by his two daughters, Faith Cook of Fayetteville, NC, and Gwen (Wes Chrest) Deming of Clinton; four grandchildren, Jessica Cook of Camanche, IA, Matthew (Brandi) Franzen of Sabula, Julianna (Auston) Albers of Homer, GA, and Erica (Doug) Housenga of Camanche; five great-grandchildren, Sophia, Madison, Denali, William, Wilder, and one on the way; one brother, John Deming, and many nieces and nephews. Butch is preceded in death by his Beloved Doll, Angelia; his son, Michael Cook; his granddaughter, Samantha Welch; his parents, Lavern and Marian; and his beloved sisters, Gladys Watson, Laverne Showalter, Jeanie Story, and Susan Jones.