Louis “Lou” E. Hortert
Louis “Lou” E. Hortert, 94, of Butler passed peacefully from this life into the next at 11:09 p.m. Sunday, surrounded by his loving family.
Lou was a signalman first class, serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1943 to 1945. He served on a hospital ship, the USS Benevolence, and he was stationed in Japan and was present for the signing of the peace treaty.
After returning from the war, Lou worked at ARMCO Steel in Butler before starting his painting business in 1949. Lou independently owned and operated Louis E. Hortert Painting and Decorating, until retiring in 2013.
Lou was an active member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Butler and was a past member of St. Mark's Church Council. Lou was a lifetime member of F.N.A. W.S., Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, and the Eastern Chapter of Wild Sheep Foundation.
An avid hunter, Lou was privileged to travel all over the world to places such as China, Russia, Africa and others too many to name. He held the distinction of obtaining a Grand Slam and a World Slam of sheep, and continued to work toward the second.
Lou's favorite pastimes were telling his hunting stories, hunting, working and playing with his grandchildren, Allen and Carolina. Lou loved life and lived it to the very fullest extent.
Surviving are his loving wife, Jan Stivison Hortert, who spent the last three years by his side, who he married Nov. 17, 1977; six children, Nora (Tom) Torquato, Ruth Hortert, Patricia Benson, Alisa Hacthett, Cassie (Allen) Crispen and Celeste Hortert; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mabel (Les) Johnston and Shirley Crawford; one brother, Carl (Laverna) Hortert; one sister-in-law, Jean (Pete) Kiper; one brother-in-law, Jim (Diana) Stivison; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lou was preceded in death by one son, Louis “Bud” E. Hortert Jr.; one granddaughter, Leanne Hortert; four brothers, Jules Hortert, Frank Hortert, Paul Hortert and Al Hortert.
HORTERT — Friends of Louis “Lou” E. Hortert, who died Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 W. Jefferson St., Butler, with the Rev. Dr. Alden Towberman, pastor, to officiate. Entombment will follow at the Greenlawn Cemetery Mausoleum.For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.
