Lorrie Eugene “Gene” Butts, age 80, of Adrian, passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital in Adrian.
Born on July 29, 1945, on the family farm in Petersburg, Michigan, Gene was the son of Willis and Esther (Hebb) Butts, Sr. He graduated from Blissfield High School and went on to earn a certificate in Machine Engineering from trade school. With this expertise, he built a successful career as a Master Machine Engineer at both Blissfield Manufacturing Company and Jay Products.
In September of 2009, Gene married the former Rona Lee Akers. Together they shared over 16 years of marriage.
Gene found great joy in music and history. He enjoyed playing the banjo, listening to Bluegrass music, and watching the History Channel during his leisure time.
To cherish his memory, Gene leaves his wife, Rona; two daughters, Lori (Chuck Vogelbacher) Butts-Vogelbacher and Kelly Loper; two stepchildren, Clen (Sue) Bell and Tammy (Dave) Kitchen; seven siblings: Willis (Lila) Butts, Jr., Harold (Gayle) Butts, David (late wife, Elizabeth) Butts, Willa Mae (Gary) Miller, Dallas Butts, Ralph (Sue) Butts, and Gerald (Barb) Butts; 12 grandchildren; and several great grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Maryann.
The family will receive friends for visitation at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian, on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 11:00 am until the funeral service begins at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Fairfield Cemetery.
Friends can express sympathies to the family online by visiting the tribute wall at www.marryfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.