Claire Edwin Butin

Claire Edwin Butin, 99, of Monroe, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17 at the Monroe United Methodist Church. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will take place at Hewitt Cemetery. If so desired, memorials may be directed to the family. Memorial funds will be gifted to the PCM (Prairie City - Monroe) Science Departments. Condolences may be left for the family at coburnfuneralhomes.com.

The son of Jesse Guy and Ina Rose (Terpstra) Butin, Claire was born April 3, 1920, in Newton. Claire served in the United States Army Air Corps from 1939 to 1946. His duties included radio operations and repair, link training of future pilots and Norden Bombsite maintenance. On Sept. 5, 1941, Claire was united in marriage to Bernice Ruth Renaud of Sully. After being principal for four years, Claire taught physics, chemistry, biology and general science at the new Monroe Community High School. He taught for 28 years before retiring in 1983. He loved his family, friends and students and always made it a point to ask how they were doing. He was a member of the Monroe United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school for a number of years and made many friends. He and Bernie enjoyed doing volunteer work throughout Jasper County. His hobbies included playing the harmonica and violin. He also enjoyed repairing violins for others.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 78 years, Bernie; a son, Robert Edwin Butin; seven grandchildren, Bradley (Liz) Albers, Brian (Jody) Albers, Darren (Dawn) Albers, Lance (Jennifer) Young, Chad Young, Elizabeth (Steve Breton) Butin and Annie (Andy) Almquist; sons-in-law, Dale Albers, Myron Young and Gene Mitchell; and 22 great-grandchildren. Preceding Claire in death were his parents; two daughters, Sandra Kay Albers and Lynn Carol Young Mitchell; and a brother, Carroll Butin.