OBITUARY
Father Daniel Butler, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Niceville, dies following illness.
Published: 12.05.07
NICEVILLE | Reverend Daniel John Butler Jr. the well-loved and respected pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Niceville, Florida, whose ministry touched the lives of many through his 41 years as a priest, died of complications related to diabetes and congestive heart failure in his rectory home on Dec. 5, 2007. He had served as pastor of Holy Name of Jesus parish for the past 17 years.
Father Butler was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 24, 1940, the only child of Daniel John and Evelyn Kieffer Butler. His calling to the priesthood was evident to his family and thus he entered the seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas at the age of 14. He was said to be of precarious health, precocious mind and child-like spirit. His studies included a B.A. in philosophy from St. John Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas; a B.A. in religious education and a M.A., Faculty of Theology from the University of Louvain in Belgium. Father Butler also obtained a Master of Education from the University of Florida in 1969. He was an avid fan of the Florida Gators.
Father Butler was ordained for the Diocese of St. Augustine in Louvain, Belgium on June 25, 1966 by Most Reverend Victor J. Reed, then-bishop of the Diocese of Oklahoma City-Tulsa. He served as assistant pastor of several Catholic parishes in the Diocese of St. Augustine before the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee was established in 1975. His first assignment in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee was at St. Paul Catholic Church. During that time, he also served in the guidance department at Pensacola Catholic High School. He served as vicar for deacons in 1985 and was elected on three occasions to the Council of Priests and two occasions to the College of Consultors. He was a member of the Commission for Orders and Ministries, served on the Commission for Catholic Schools, and on the board of directors for the Diocesan Pension Plan and the Diocesan Building Commission. Father Butler also served as the spiritual moderator for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women — West Central Deanery since 1990. During his time in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee he served at Little Flower and St. John parishes in Pensacola, St. Bernadette Parish, Panama City, St. Theresa Mission, Sunny Hills, St. John the Evangelist, Warrington and finally at Holy Name of Jesus.
Father Butler is survived by several cousins: Bob and Joan Averwater of Memphis, Tenn.; Patty Taylor of Memphis, Tenn.; Louise & Jeanne Albers of Cincinnati, Ohio; Marian Camardo of Cincinnati, Ohio, Richard Freeman of Cincinnati, Ohio and Domingo and Catherine Quintero of Fort Walton Beach, FL. He also leaves behind many friends, parishioners, parish staff, deacons, and brother priests.
The body will be received at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1200 Valpraiso Blvd., Niceville, on Tuesday, Dec. 11 with the vigil prayer service to commence at 7 p.m. The rosary will be prayed at 7:45 p.m. After the service, the body will remain in church for visitation and private prayers through the night. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Most Reverend John H. Ricard, SSJ, Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, will be the principal celebrant at both the vigil service and the funeral Mass. Homilist will be Reverend Eugene Pathe. Priests of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee will be concelebrants at the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be at the Holy Cross Cemetery, 1300 East Hayes Street, Pensacola, Florida, on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 2:00 p.m.
Special thanks to all those who have cared for Father Butler during his illness, especially the support provided by Covenant Hospice. Memorials may be made to the Family of God Life Center Building Fund, Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1200 Valparaiso Blvd, Niceville, FL 32578-2946.
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