Jacqueline D. (Rensberry) Butwell

Jacqueline Doris Butwell, 92, passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at Villa at the Bay in Petoskey, Michigan after a short illness. 

Jackie was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 22, 1929 to Earl and Doris (Pedersen) Rensberry.  She grew up in Manistee, Michigan, where she met her future husband while employed at the local soda shop. 

Jackie enjoyed roller skating in those days and would “skate anywhere there was a sidewalk”.

At age 20, on August 13, 1949, Jackie married Chuck Butwell from nearby Bear Lake, Michigan.  They made their home in Petoskey, Michigan in 1959.  They were married for 40 years before Chuck passed away from a quick onset of brain cancer in September of 1989. 

Jackie is survived by her three children and their families:  eldest son Kim (Betty) Butwell of Frederic, MI; daughter Sherry Matz Sutherby of Mancelona, MI with two sons; grandson Charlie (Kristina) Matz of Meridian, Idaho with six great-grandchildren David, Evie, Daisy, Joseph Robert (J.R.), Esther, and Penny; and grandson Mark Matz of Petoskey, MI; youngest son Craig (Carla) Butwell of Walloon Lake, MI; and their two children; grandson Steve Butwell of Petoskey, MI; and granddaughter Lauren (Evan) Simon with great-grandchildren Daniel Craig and Amelia Jane.

Jackie is also survived by her only sibling, Gayle Dragoo Locke of Fort Myers, FL and nieces Ronda Amaya of Florida and Tina Slager of Michigan, and their families. 

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Chuck; niece Maiya Dragoo Christensen, and nephew Steven Dragoo. 

Jackie also leaves behind a special friend who provided friendship and loving care in the last years, Rebecca (Joel) Beachy of Charlevoix, Michigan. 

Jackie enjoyed living in the town of Petoskey and followed her husband's footsteps in doing volunteer work within their community.  For her, it was the American Cancer Society, and the local hospital surgical waiting room.  Jackie also volunteered at the Emmet County Friendship Center in later years, filling many roles. 

Jackie was a homemaker known for her "culinary delights" while her children were growing.  In the later years she became licensed as a real estate agent and especially enjoyed selling in the Bay View area.  The family also had a cabin within the Bay View Association, enjoying the amenities it had to offer.

Using her real estate acumen, she took on managing 72 apartments for Lafayette Park Apartments in Petoskey where she and Chuck resided for 10 years.   After Chuck passed, Jackie purchased a duplex condominium and managed Meadowview Condominiums from within for 20 years.  She resided there until entering Independence Village.    

Jackie was a strong-willed woman who wasn’t afraid to delve into new ideas, such as different ways to cook, or use technology.  She considered following the stock market and keeping up with politics a hobby.  She was also a fierce lover of chocolate and would share with those who stopped by for a visit.

The family would like to thank Todd Decker, M.D. for his gentle and considerate care over the years.  Also, a thank you to the entire staff of Independence Village, where Jackie resided the last three years. 

Funeral service will be Monday, June 20th, at 2:00 p.m. at Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey, with visitation starting at 1:30 p.m.  Pastor Mark Drinkall of Emmanuel Evangelical Church of Petoskey will be officiating.  Burial will immediately follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery in the family plot.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jacqueline D. (Rensberry) Butwell, please visit our floral store.