Lois A. Butcher, 1934-2021

She was born July 14, 1934, in Salem, the daughter of the late Harold and Helen Stuba Ritchey, and was a lifelong Salem resident.

Lois graduated from Goshen High School in 1952. Her husband, Edward “Eddie” H. Butcher, whom she married Feb. 9, 1952, preceded her in death Aug. 5, 2015. Lois worked alongside Eddie in managing and running Salem Concrete for many years, and then at Masonry Materials Plus in Youngstown, which was co-founded by Eddie. They retired from the business together in 2000. After her retirement, Lois volunteered at the Salem Regional Medical Center, Salem Habitat for Humanity Restore and the Salem Community Food Pantry.

She loved gardening, travel, the beach, playing cards, spending time with family and friends, and sitting outside on her porch at her former home on Union Avenue.

Lois will be very much missed by her daughter, Lynn (Richard) Mather of Colorado Springs; her son, Hobie of Salem; four greatly loved grandchildren, Zachary (Sara), Tyler and Abby Mather, and Edward Hobie Butcher; and her four precious great-grandchildren, Savannah, Gavin, Cadence and Riley Mather. She also is survived by a sister, Janet Borders of Salem.

Besides her parents and husband, a half sister, Velma Bryan of Youngstown, and a brother, Dave Ritchey of Salem, also preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Stark Memorial, with the Rev. Claye Folger officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. Please adhere to social distancing, do not linger and bring your own mask. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salem High School Alumni Association, 330 E. State St., Salem, OH 44460; Salem Community Food Pantry, 794 E. Third St., Salem, OH 44460; or Community Hospice, 2341 E. State St., Unit B, Salem, OH 44460.

If unable to attend, you may show your support by joining our complimentary “Hugs from Home” program where your message will be attached to a balloon in the chapel to remind the family of your love and support at www.starkmemorial.com/hugs-from-home.

You are now able to share your respects and memories with the family with a recorded video message at https://www.starkmemorial.com/virtualhugs.

Arrangements are being handled by Stark Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Salem. To view Lois’ obituary or send condolences, visit www.starkmemorial.com.

(special notice)