Kathleen Joan Butts (nee Vereb)
Passed away on December 7, 2025
Kathleen Joan Butts (nee Vereb), 83, of Merrillville, Indiana, formerly of Crown Point, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Beloved aunt of Kimberly (Andrew) Milan and step-mother of Clinton (Linda) Butts. Cherished “aunt” of Linda (Christopher) Engell.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Butts, sister, Phyllis Schuljak, brother-in-law, John Schuljak, great-nephew, Christopher Richards, mother, Clara Vereb, and father, John Vereb.
Kathy grew up in the Robertsdale section of Hammond, Indiana and graduated from George Rogers Clark High School. She began her long tenured career at Lever Brothers where she met her husband, Charlie. They were married in October 1979 and built a new home and wonderful life in the Pine Island subdivision of Crown Point.
She adopted Charlie’s love of University of Michigan football, and they became season ticket holders. She loved to travel and visited Mexico and Hawaii in addition to many other US states after she and Charlie were married.
Kathy was a devout Catholic and was a parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation for nearly 40 years. She attended Saturday evening Mass every week where she could be seen in “her pew” alongside her sister and brother-in-law.
Kathy was outgoing and loved meeting and talking to people of all ages. She took a genuine interest in everyone she met, instantly making them feel like they had been lifelong friends.
Never having children of her own, she became the most loving aunt and Godmother anyone could hope for. She was the true definition of a fun aunt and spent countless hours talking and shopping with her niece whom she affectionately called “Squidge”. She created too many special memories to count including numerous shopping trips to downtown Chicago many complete with lunch by the Marshall Field’s Christmas tree in the Walnut Room.
To say she will be missed beyond measure would be an understatement.
Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs or to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.