Bud Blanchard

Funeral services for “Bud” Blanchard, 82, of Butler, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Kiesau Memorial Chapel.

Blanchard died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, at his home in Butler.

Russell LeRoy “Bud” Blanchard was born July 12, 1933, to Benoni Blanchard and Gladys (Beck) Blanchard in Butler. He was raised in Butler, where attended Pie Flat School and later Butler Schools, which he graduated from in 1952.

He moved to Wichita, Kan., where he worked for Beech Aircraft, but was soon drafted into the U.S. Army. He served from 1955 until his honorable discharge in 1957. He then returned to Beech Aircraft and worked there until 1957.

After his father died he returned to Butler to take up the farming operation.

He  also worked for Grubb Oil Company from 1965 until 1970.

In 1970 he began work for Ross Oil Company, and starting in 1977 he worked for the Butler Co-op until 2015.

Blanchard married Wilda Inez “Woodie” Helzer in 1957 and they made their home on the family farm in Butler.  

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; a daughter, Donita June; a sister, LaVerne Millspaugh; and a grandson, Seth Blanchard.

He is survived by his two daughters, Debra Stidham, Butler, and Rhonda Hestand and husband, Gary, Gotebo; two sons, Russell “Rusty” Blanchard and wife, Vicki, Lawton, and Jeff Blanchard, Clinton; one sister, Janice Boyd and husband, Fred, Caruthersville, Mo.; and a special friend, Virginia Jones, Elk City.

Other survivors include five grandchildren, Shawna Rivas and husband Carlos, Clinton, Cory Stidham and wife, Jessica, Tulsa, Bryan Blanchard, Lawton, Caleb Blanchard and Cassidy Blanchard of Clinton; five great-grandchildren, Garrett, Grace, Gwynn, Gabby, and Isabel; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be officiated by Patrick Peters. Interment will be at Butler Cemetery under the direction of Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.