Richard “Rick” Burton Elias lost his long battle with FTD Alzheimer's disease on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. He was a lifelong member of the Butler community.

He was born in June 1954.

He graduated from Butler High School in 1972, then attended Butler County Community College.

He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Mansfield State College, then earned his master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Shippensburg University.

Rick will be remembered for his proud and long career in law enforcement. He served the county of Butler as director of juvenile court services and as a judge-appointed orphan’s court investigator.

Rick was also the owner of the ELIAS Driver Training School, along with his father, Herbert Elias. Together they created a legacy by teaching thousands of Butler area residents to be good and safe drivers in a career spanning over 60 years.

Rick was a devoted father to his children, Logan and Chelsea, and the nurturing of young people in the community was his passion. He loved knowing all the kids in the neighborhood were at his house, doing all the outdoor fun stuff kids should be doing. He was a Sunday school teacher at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for many years.

To say Rick enjoyed golf would be an epic understatement. He honed his skill at golf with a passion known to many. Having an ace at Krendale the day before his wedding was one of his finest moments.

Rick was an expert marksman and enjoyed hunting and shooting. His compound bow was his pride and joy. He was a member of the Butler County Law Enforcement Association and the Butler City Hunting and Fishing Club.

Rick is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carol Coulter Elias; his children, R. Logan Elias and Chelsea Elias (Eric) Shea; and his beloved cat, Zorro. He is also survived by two brothers, Doug and David Elias; and two sisters, Kathy Rubin and Terri Ronald.

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul.

—William Ernest Henley

ELIAS — There will be no public visitation or services for Richard “Rick” Burton Elias, who died Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

A celebration of Rick’s life will be held privately at the site of his favorite tree stand and his ashes will forever grace the ground where he spent endless hours hunting and regaling wild stories with his hunting buddies.

The family respectfully asks that any donations in Rick’s memory be made to Alzheimer’s research.

Arrangements have been entrusted to YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, Butler.

For more information, go to www.youngfuneralhomes.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.