Mary Denise Butler

Mary Denise Butler, 71, of Dennison, Ohio, went home to be with her Lord and Savior after her long, brave struggle with prolonged health challenges came to a close on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital in Dover, Ohio, while surrounded by her loving family. Born April 13, 1954 in Dennison, she was a daughter of the late John E. “Peck” and Margaret (Renicker) Hunter. Throughout her life, Mary carried many happy memories of dancing with her father, a joy that she continued to find with her husband for many years.

Mary began her long legacy as matriarch of her family when she was united in marriage to Darrell Alan Butler, Sr. on June 23, 1972. Together, they brought up three children, Stephanie (Pedro) Ajanel, Darrell A. (Valleen) Butler Jr., and Victoria (Marcos) Lopez-Santos, who survive her along with her husband. She is also survived by her precious grandchildren who were the light of her life, Satin (Anthony) Hvizdos, David Trick, Cody (Julia) Butler, Logan Trick, Olivia Butler, Alex (Audrey) Ajanel, Maria Ajanel, Antonio Ajanel, Madalynn (Kaleb) Ford, and Giovanni Lopez. Mary made it a point to be at all of her grandkid’s school and sporting events through the years. Now, she has been blessed with four great-grandchildren, Sophia, Jonah, Milanii, and Mako, who she dearly loved. Mary’s surviving family is completed by her brother, John E. (Patty) Hunter, II; sister-in-law, Dawn Hunter; brother-in-law, Jerry Horn Jr.; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Hannah Ajanel and Marco Santos; a brother, Jeff Hunter; her sister, Melissa “Missy” Hunter-Horn; and her stepmother, Lois Hunter.

Selflessness, beauty, integrity, grit, and downright stubbornness are just a few words that family would use to describe her – and oh, was she kind. She never met a stranger and devoted her life to making people feel valued and loved, and she never met a child that wasn't her grandchild. Mary wanted to make sure that you knew just how special you are and just how much you meant to her. She would make you feel like you were the only person in the room and that all attention was on you. She had a light within her and she used her light to brighten the lives of others when their world may have gone dark. Mary was a woman of faith who had enjoyed attending Jerusalem Church in New Philadelphia while they were led by Pastor Frank Sapp, and she turned that faith into action daily as she loved and cared for others whether she knew them or not.

Todd McMath will officiate a 1:00 p.m. funeral on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the R. K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison where her family will receive callers from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, prior to the service. According to her wishes, Mary will be cremated so that she may be interred with her parents in Uhrichsville’s Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions honoring her memory may be made to the Tuscarawas County Humane Society, 1432 Tall Timber Rd. N.E., New Philadelphia, OH  44663 to reflect her love for her dear canine companions, Gus and Bandit who survive her, and Maverick who was waiting for her across the rainbow bridge.