Rev. Lila Jane Butz

Rev. Lila Jane (Brauchler) Butz, born on November 29, 1936, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2024, in Wernersville, Pennsylvania. She was the beloved daughter of the late Paul and Mary (Wilkinson) Brauchler. Lila was predeceased by her siblings Don (Wenda) Brauchler, and Nancy (Joe) Cross and her granddaughter Abigail. She is survived by her brother Charles (Ruth) Brauchler of Jefferson Hills, PA.

Lila was the beloved wife of Rev. George Butz. They were married for over 62 years after meeting during their studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary. They enjoyed their shared ministries together and raising their family.

Lila was a devoted mother to her five children: Ruth Anne Barnard (Bill) of Harrisburg, PA; David (Paula, fiancée) of Kansas City, MO; Stephen (Toni) of Lansdale, PA; Timothy (Kristine) of Adamstown, PA; and Paul (Mary) of Chesapeake Beach, MD. She was a proud grandmother to 11 grandchildren who brought her immense joy.

A woman of deep faith and compassion, Lila dedicated her life to ministry as an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ. She served numerous congregations in central Pennsylvania, including Abbottstown, Dover, Littlestown, Steltz, Milton, and Watsontown. She also served as a chaplain at the Selinsgrove Center. Her academic achievements included a Bachelor of Arts from Heidelberg College and both a Master of Religious Education and a Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary.

Lila's commitment to service extended beyond the pulpit. She helped in establishing Devitt House in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, which opened in 1991 to provide affordable senior housing. In her later years, she volunteered with the Spirit Alive program at Phoebe Berks, offering spiritual care and emotional support to individuals with dementia.

A Memorial Service will be held at Phoebe Berks Chapel for residents of that community on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. A Service of Remembrance will be held at Peace UCC in Denver, PA, on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. with the service at 10:30 a.m. to be followed by interment at Muddy Creek Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon following the services on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lila's memory to the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, 1901 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 or to the UCC Christmas Fund to help care for retired clergy at The Pension Boards-UCC, 75 Remittance Dr., Suite 1637, Chicago, IL 60675-1637.

May Lila's legacy of faith and kindness continue to inspire all who knew her.