Susan Butz

Susan Hillard Butz of Indianapolis, IN passed away on January 18, 2011 after a challenging four year battle with pancreatic cancer. Sue is survived by her husband of 28 years, Ted Butz, their 26 year old daughter, Helen, two step sons, Chris and Will, her mother, and four siblings. Born March 12, 1946 in Champaign, IL., she is the daughter of Helen Manny Hillard and the late Edward M. Hillard and grew up in the tiny ‘burg’ of Ivesdale, IL. Sue often spoke fondly of her free-spirited life among the fields and farms of her youth. Her early life apparently set the stage for the free-spirited, opinionated, and direct person we all came to know and love. She was greatly influenced by the care and educational guidance of the Benediction nuns and priests who taught her at St. Joseph’s Grade School. After graduating from Bement High School, Sue attended Millikan University to obtain an RN Diploma. In 1966 she was named nursing student of the year. After graduation Sue moved to Indianapolis to work for the IU Medical Center as an oncology nurse under Dr. Larry Einhorn. In 1979, Sue went to work for Bristol-Myers Squibb where she, after three short years, was named the number one salesperson in the nation in the Oncology division. During this time she also completed her B.A. in English at Butler University. Sue loved being busy and involved in the community. Her activities and memberships included the Republican Party as precinct committeewomen, the Indianapolis Museum of Art where she was an active docent and The Dramatic Club. Her love of travel and education took her to Cambridge University in England as well as India to study art; China to study law, and to many European countries where she soaked up the history and culture. Wherever Sue traveled, she found interesting and unique pieces of art that makes up her eclectic collection of which she was so proud. Sue went on to become Program Administrator for the Hospital Care for the Indigent for the State of Indiana. Wanting to do more, Sue attended IU School of Law where she graduated with her J.D. degree in August of 2003. After her daughter went to college, Sue devoted herself to building her dream home in Pentwater, Michigan. The home was completed in 2008. Sue was able to enjoy two wonderful summers at the lake and the house turned into a peaceful retreat for her during the hard battle with cancer. Sue will be remembered by her friends for her deep throated laugh and her wicked sense of humor, her love of reading in front of the fire in her library, for her ability to have fun dancing the night away and for her compassion, wisdom and loyalty that made her the best mother, wife and friend to the world. Visitation is from 1:00pm to 3:00pm on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at Flanner and Buchanan located at 1305 E. Broad Ripple Ave. Indpls, IN, with memorial services at 3pm. You are invited to visit the website: www.flannerbuchanan.com to share a personal memory of Sue or sign the guest book. Memorial contributions can be made to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer (www.lustgarten.org) or to the IU Simon Cancer Center (www.cancer.iu.edu). Please indicate “In memory of Susan H. Butz”. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan