Marion Mayor Emeritus Robert L. Butler passes away at age 92
 |
|
Robert L. Butler, pictured here during a recent Veterans on Parade, served as mayor of Marion from April of 1963 to Jan. 31, 2018. Butler passed away Monday at the age of 92. (DATELINE MARION FILE PHOTO)
|
MARION -- The man who served longer than any mayor of any community in the history of the state of Illinois has passed away. Former Marion mayor Robert L. Butler passed away Monday morning, April 22 at 9:30 a.m. He was 92 years old.
Butler was elected mayor of Marion in April of 1963, beating incumbent mayor Robert Cooksey. At the age or 36, he was the second-youngest candidate that year.
Butler stepped down as mayor Jan. 31, 2018, after winning re-election 13 more times and serving 54 years and 10 months in the mayor's office in Marion. At the time of his retirement, he was also the second-longest actively serving mayor in the country. Only five other mayors in the country served longer than mayor.
Had Butler finished out his final term, Monday would have been his last day in office. Mike Absher will be sworn in Monday evening as the first mayor to win an election other than Butler since Cooksey was elected in 1959. Both Absher, and outgoing mayor Anthony Rinella, who was appointed to replace Butler in 2018, took note of the date of Butler's passing.
"It's a very sad day for the city of Marion," said Absher. "It's also a very odd day for it to happen when this transition taking place."
Rinella was reflective on the day that his mentor, and the man who endorsed him in the 2019 election, took his last breath on earth.
"Not the kind of surprise that you're looking for," Rinella said. "It's very ironic that had he went full term this would have been his last day in office. This is my last day in office. It kind of brings things into perspective regarding life."
Rinella said that while Butler may have at times seemed abrasive toward the media, he had a big heart and was always looking out for the best interest of the city. He referred to a time early in his career where then fire chief Charles Hyde made a request of Butler to purchase a new rescue tool -- the Jaws of Life -- for the fire department.
"He said 'How much?'" Rinella said. "If I remember correctly it was $5,000. He said 'Well if it saves one life it's worth it. Buy it!'"
"That was Bob," Rinella added. "If he thought it could help people, could help Marion, let's do it."
During his time as mayor, Butler oversaw phenomenal growth in the city. During his tenure, the city saw an increase of more than 5,000 in population, expanded to the west side of Interstate 57 with rapid retail and industrial growth and overcame a devastating tornado in 1982 that spawned the phrase "Hub of the Universe," known as Marion's catch phrase ever since.
After receiving criticism from Republican leaders for accepting $3 million from then Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's administration to help build Rent One Park, Butler fired back saying if would help Marion he would take money from Republicans or Democrats, and that then GOP party leader Andrew McKenna could "kiss my a--!"
Absher said that he considered Butler a friend, and that he set the bar high as mayor.
"He was obviously, gosh, an icon," Absher said. "He always will be an icon for the city of Marion."
Absher added that Butler's influence on the city will not be forgotten.
"He'll be missed but I know that he'll always be around in some form or fashion," Absher said. "Seeing what we're doing and overlooking his live's work."
Butler is survived by his wife of 67-plus years, Louetta, and one daughter, Dr. Beth Butler. Funeral arrangements are pending.
— Dateline Marion
Butler was elected mayor of Marion in April of 1963, beating incumbent mayor Robert Cooksey. At the age or 36, he was the second-youngest candidate that year.
Butler stepped down as mayor Jan. 31, 2018, after winning re-election 13 more times and serving 54 years and 10 months in the mayor's office in Marion. At the time of his retirement, he was also the second-longest actively serving mayor in the country. Only five other mayors in the country served longer than mayor.
Had Butler finished out his final term, Monday would have been his last day in office. Mike Absher will be sworn in Monday evening as the first mayor to win an election other than Butler since Cooksey was elected in 1959. Both Absher, and outgoing mayor Anthony Rinella, who was appointed to replace Butler in 2018, took note of the date of Butler's passing.
"It's a very sad day for the city of Marion," said Absher. "It's also a very odd day for it to happen when this transition taking place."
Rinella was reflective on the day that his mentor, and the man who endorsed him in the 2019 election, took his last breath on earth.
"Not the kind of surprise that you're looking for," Rinella said. "It's very ironic that had he went full term this would have been his last day in office. This is my last day in office. It kind of brings things into perspective regarding life."
Rinella said that while Butler may have at times seemed abrasive toward the media, he had a big heart and was always looking out for the best interest of the city. He referred to a time early in his career where then fire chief Charles Hyde made a request of Butler to purchase a new rescue tool -- the Jaws of Life -- for the fire department.
"He said 'How much?'" Rinella said. "If I remember correctly it was $5,000. He said 'Well if it saves one life it's worth it. Buy it!'"
"That was Bob," Rinella added. "If he thought it could help people, could help Marion, let's do it."
During his time as mayor, Butler oversaw phenomenal growth in the city. During his tenure, the city saw an increase of more than 5,000 in population, expanded to the west side of Interstate 57 with rapid retail and industrial growth and overcame a devastating tornado in 1982 that spawned the phrase "Hub of the Universe," known as Marion's catch phrase ever since.
After receiving criticism from Republican leaders for accepting $3 million from then Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's administration to help build Rent One Park, Butler fired back saying if would help Marion he would take money from Republicans or Democrats, and that then GOP party leader Andrew McKenna could "kiss my a--!"
Absher said that he considered Butler a friend, and that he set the bar high as mayor.
"He was obviously, gosh, an icon," Absher said. "He always will be an icon for the city of Marion."
Absher added that Butler's influence on the city will not be forgotten.
"He'll be missed but I know that he'll always be around in some form or fashion," Absher said. "Seeing what we're doing and overlooking his live's work."
Butler is survived by his wife of 67-plus years, Louetta, and one daughter, Dr. Beth Butler. Funeral arrangements are pending.