Obituary of John Edward Butler, LaSalle Parish, Louisiana Copied and Submitted by: Kathy LeMay Kelly, P.O. Box 219, Trout, La. 71371 From The Jena Times - Olla Tullos Signal; Jena, LaSalle Parish, La. Microfilm at the LaSalle Parish Library located in Jena, LaSalle Parish, La. Many Thanks to The Times - Signal and to the LaSalle Parish Library for allowing the following to be added to the Archives. ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Wednesday, September 6, 2000, Front page & on page Jena man drowns on Labor Day A 56-year-old Jena man drowned on Monday of this week, in what authorities are callin an accidental drowning in a local physician's swimming pool. John E. Butler was employed by Dr. Riaz Chaudhry as grounds keeper, and ws at the Jena doctor's residence Monday afternoon, along with his wife Linda Webster Butler, when the accident occurred. According to Investigator David Smith of the LaSalle Parish Sheriff's Department, Butler was working around the pool area when he apparently fell into the swimming pool. Butler's wife, who was at another location on the property, heard something splash into the pool and when she went to investigate, found her husband at the bottom of the pool. After several unsuccessful attempts to rescue him, she called for help using her cellular phone. Smith said his office received the call for help at 2:50 p.m., Labor Day, and officers and an ambulance were immediately dispatched to the residence, which is located on Peyton Street in Jena across from Jena High School. The first officers to arrive were Louisiana State Trooper James Farris and Jena Police Officer Jim Attaway. The two officers pulled Butler from the pool and began CPR until the LaSalle Parish Ambulance arrived, continued CPR and transported him to LaSalle General Hospital. Butler was later pronounced dead at the hospital by a LaSalle Parish Coroner. Smith said at the time of the drowning, the Butlers were the only ones present at the residence, but said the investigation thus far has led them to rule the drowning as accidental. The investigator also said that a blood alcohol test on Butler revealed that alcohol could have played a factor in the drowning. Obituary information as well as funeral services for Butler have not been released as of press time Tuesday morning. Wednesday, September 13, 2000, page 16 A John Edward Butler John Edward "Cuz" Butler, 56, of Jena, died on Labor Day, September 4, 2000. He was a retired logger and member of the Baptist faith. Services were held at 1 p.m., Saturday, September 9, at L&A Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Moran officiating. Interment followed in the Webster Cemetery of Good Pine under direction of Gayden Funeral Home of Jena. Survivors include his wife, Linda G. Butler of Jena; two daughters, Alerta R. Ogletree and Angela Faye Butler, both of Jena; two sons, John E. Butler of Hattiesburg, Miss. And Chad E. Butler of Jena; two brothers, Billy Butler and Willie Butler, both of Silver Creek, Miss.; nine sisters, bonnie McCary, Shirley McCary, Lorice McCary, Evelyn McCary, and Patricia Kelly, all of Silver Creek, Miss. Linda Parvin of Hattiesburg, Ms.; Diane Martin and Brenda Bridgett of New Orleans; and 14 grandchildren.