SPRINGETTSBURY TWP. Laverne J. "Verne" Butcher, 88, passed away Monday, January 7, 2008, at York Hospital. He was the husband of Bernice (Brant) Butcher. The couple celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on June 20, 2007. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, with a visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. His pastor, the Rev. Robert H. Riedy, will be officiating at the service. Burial will be private in Codorus Church of the Brethren Cemetery. Mr. Butcher was born in Dallastown, September 23, 1919, a son of the late John J and Idelia (Hartman) Butcher. After graduating from Dallastown High School in 1937, he attended Syracuse University, prior to joining a co-operative student program established at the former York Ice Machinery Corporation and Penn State University. He graduated from Penn State University in 1942 with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. He began his employment with York Ice Machinery Corporation, joined York Shipley as an Industrial Engineer, and rose to Vice President of manufacturing. He then spent many years as vice president with Crown Cork and Seal Company in Baltimore and as General Manager of the Machinery and Closure Divisions. He retired from Thiokol Corporation in Elton, Md. During his 32 years in Baltimore, Mr. Butcher served as President of Council at Ascension Lutheran Church and was a member at Timonium Presbyterian Church, PCA. Upon returning to York, he became a member of Church of the Open Door and a member of the York-East Rotary Club. Mr. Butcher leaves two sons, J. Donald Butcher and his wife, Marla of York and Michael A. Butcher of Baltimore, Md.; a daughter, Judith B Cochran and her husband, James of Arlington, Texas; four grandchildren, Thomas Butcher, Daniel Butcher, Deborah Bieber and Scott Butcher; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Kathleen Danner of York.
Published in the York Daily Record & York Dispatch on 1/9/2008.