Ruth Evelyn Knight Butler, 87, a lifelong resident of the Leesburg and Blacktown areas of Springfield Township, Mercer County, died at 11:40 p.m. Sunday at Grove City Medical Center.

Born in Clay Township, Butler County, Aug. 30, 1922, she was the daughter of Jesse Knight and Sarah Jane Curtis.

Her husband, Wayne Edwin Butler, who she married Dec. 27, 1941, preceded her in death in May 1997.

She had been well known as an operator for Blacktown Telephone Co. and later worked at the Mercer County Home.

She was the mother of seven children; three sons, William E. Butler, deceased, Ronald E. and his wife, Kathleen M. Butler of Mercer, and Robert J. and his wife, Linda J. Butler of Sandy Lake; four daughters, Marilyn M. and her husband, Fred A. Bollinger of Slippery Rock, Joyce A. Butler of Mercer, Barbara L. Butler of Sharpsville and Janice M. and her husband, Randy Blank of Grove City; a daughter-in-law, Linda L. Butler of New Wilmington; and two sisters, Esther Hanna of Prospect and Wanda J. and her husband Collins Hair of Shelocta. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, William E.; two brothers, Charles and Clarence; and a sister, Ethel Masajada.

<B>BUTLER </B>— Visitation for Ruth Evelyn Knight Butler, who died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at <B>Smith Funeral Home</B>, Village of Leesburg, 1778 Perry Highway, Volant. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Richard N. Carlson, pastor of Balm United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be at Carpenter Cemetery, Springfield Township, Mercer County