Herrit

Ellen “Ilean” (Grabbe) Herrit, 82, of Butler, closed her eyes and spread her wings on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, after an illness at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Ilean was born on Oct. 29, 1942, in Butler, to the late George and Harriet (Fowler) Grabbe.

Ilean graduated from Butler High School in 1960. Early in her career, Ilean started as a Wetteraw warehouse worker and went on to become their first female supervisor. She worked at Butler County Courthouse as a courthouse administrator for 15-plus years, from where she retired to work part-time as a lunch attendant for Butler Area School District. One of the highlights of her retirement was working with the students to help make a difference.

Ilean loved to spend time with her loving family and friends. She bowled and golfed with her husband, Paul “Bud” Herrit, played cards regularly with her friends and visited with her neighbors to plant flowers. Ilean’s love for her family was fierce. She enjoyed shopping, lunch dates and baking with her sister and niece. She attended her grandsons’ sporting events with great dedication and as their No. 1 fan. Ilean’s love for her son, Josh, was deep and true shown through her dedication as a single mother in their early years.

Ilean was a member of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she married her husband, Bud.

Ilean is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Paul “Bud” Herrit; her son, Joshua G. (Maria) Herrit of Butler; her four grandchildren, Teila Hunt of Columbia, S.C., Noah Darsie of Pittsburgh, Joshua Darsie of Kent, Ohio, and Luke Herrit of Butler; her sister, Eleanor (Darrell) Kingan of Butler; her sister-in-law, Connie Pannier of Butler; her brother-in-law, Gary (Barbara) Herrit of Butler; her niece, Sharon Marianni of Valencia; her nephew, Doug (Diane) Kingan of Mars; her goddaughter/niece, Desiree (Libby) Pannier of Butler; as well as a number of great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richord Grabbe; her daughter, Jodi Lynn Perry; her son Richard L. Perry Jr.; and her grandson, Jacob L. Herrit.

Ilean’s smile will be forever loved and missed by all her friends and family. We find comfort that she is in the loving arms of our Lord. Ilean’s light will forever shine on.

HERRIT — Family and friends of Ellen “Ilean” (Grabbe) Herrit, who died Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St., Butler.

A funeral service will immediately follow at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with Pastor David Philips, of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, officiating.

All who knew Ilean are encouraged to share memories and upload photos to her unique remembrance page at www.thompson-miller.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.