EAST HERKIMER-Frances R. Butler, age 85, of Main Road, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, March 17, 2003, in Folts Homes, Herkimer. She was born on October 9, 1917, in Herkimer, daughter of the late Charles and Emma Cristman Richard. A lifelong East Herkimer resident she was a graduate of Herkimer High School. On June 26, 1937 she married Gerney Butler in the Herkimer Reformed Church. For thirty years Mrs. Butler owned and operated the Butler Ceramic Studio in East Herkimer retiring in 1996. She was a member of the Herkimer Reformed Church, also a member of the Green Lantern Girls, the Mohawk Valley Squares, East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary East Herkimer Senior Citizens and both Myrtle Chapter and Rock City Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Frances was happiest when she was surrounded by her many friends and family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Surviving beside her loving husband of sixty-five years Gerney are two sons and their wives; Richard and Patricia Butler, Gene and Kim Butler all of East Herkimer, one daughter Barbara and her husband Myron Baker of Rock Hill, SC, nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren several nieces, nephews and cousins. A brother Ross Richard, two sisters Irene Jacobson and Eva Brown, preceded her in death. Funeral service will be on Thursday at 11:00 am in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. The Reverend Paul Acker will officiate. Mrs. Butler will be laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery later this spring at a time to be announced. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary or the Folts Homes Alzheimer Unit. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.