Richard G. Button

Richard G. Button, 95, beloved husband, father, and hero to many, passed away on September 23rd, 2017. He entered this world on September 1, 1922 in Massillon, Ohio, born to Bernice (Shanabrook) and Robert Button. He is survived by his wife of 64 years; Dorothy (Murrer), daughter Junie (Mike) Haberthier, and son David.
Richard (Dick) served his country as a fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Forces from July of 1942 to November of 1945. Flying out of Northern France as a 1st Lt. with the 9th Air Force's 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Dick's P-51 Mustang was armed only with Cameras. Flying directly over enemy territory, (many times over the heart of Germany itself, Berlin) Lieutenant Button cheated death 78 times, accumulating 150 hours of combat time while amassing vital information critical to the Allied Forces' Victory in Europe. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for meritorious achievement and heroism while participating in aerial flight.
After the war, Dick attended The Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. In 1952 he began his career with GE Aircraft Engines in Evendale, Ohio where he managed the Evaluation Engineering Department, and from March of 1963 to August of 1965 he was transferred to Huntsville, Alabama to work on the Apollo Program. Dick’s career with GE spanned 36 years until his retirement in 1988.
From the time he was a boy, Dick loved to build and fly model airplanes.  From free flight rubber powered gliders to full blown, fuel powered, radio controlled models, this was a hobby that he would keep his entire life. He was also an avid motorcyclist. Riding for most of his life, he took some amazing trips to places as far away as Alaska and Nova Scotia.    
An outdoor memorial service will be held on October 3rd, 2017, at 1:00PM, at Oak Hills Cemetery, 11305 Princeton Pike (St Rt 747). Casual dress encouraged.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Salvation Army.

 Service Information