The world became a lesser place on September 10, 2007 with the passing of Maria Butler, nee Iwanowa, of O'Fallon, IL due to complications from pancreatic cancer.

My mother was born in a small village outside of Moscow in what was then the Soviet Union on June 5, 1923. She was a naturalized American who was extremely proud of her citizenship and fiercely loyal to her family. Her parents, Fedor and Anisia, as well as siblings, Vasily, Mikhail, Paul, Alexander, and Alexandra preceded her in death as a result of hardships directly related to World War II. After losing her family, my mother fled to Germany during the war, eventually arriving in New York City as a displaced person and finding work as a domestic for the owners of the Ideal Toy Company. While in Germany she had met an American soldier, McNeill V. Butler, and after a six-year trans-Atlantic relationship they were wed on January 4th 1954.

My father passed away December 8th, 1968 leaving mom forever faithful to his memory. Being a firm believer in education, she passed her high school equivalency test in 1975 and went on to earn both an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science degree in 1979 from what was then Belleville Area College. Left to mourn her passing are her only child Vince (Janet) Butler of O'Fallon, Illinois and her two granddaughters (Grandma's two ponytails) Kendall and Blair, also of O'Fallon. Her contributions to the development of her girls will be sorely missed as she loved them more than anything. My mother led her life with class and dignity and left an impression on all those whose lives she touched. She truly lived the American Dream. We are grateful to all those who have offered support and friendship over the last 18 months since her diagnosis. Very special thanks to both Dr. Jorge Frank and the staff at the Cancer Care Center in Swansea and to Dr. Ken Reinert of O'Fallon Family Medicine for all their compassion.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 Wednesday, September 12th at Wolfersberger Funeral Home in O'Fallon. In lieu of flowers or memorials, my mother would have asked that we follow her example and be good to one another.

In accordance with mom's wishes burial will be in her husband's grave at the National Cemetery in Long Island, NY at 11:00 am, September 14, 2007, where there will be graveside services.