Powers "Butch" Pace III's Obituary
PACE III, Powers “Butch,” age 81, of Beavercreek, passed away Monday, December 23, 2024, at his residence.
Butch graduated from Fairview High School, class of ’61. While attending Ohio State University, he met the love of his life, Sandy Overturf, on a blind date. He began his career as a foreman in a Chevy plant, but he always dreamed of working outside, which was his true happy place. He ultimately married a farmer’s daughter and spent the next 33 years of his life working on Fair Acres Farms in Madison County. During his farming career, he focused mainly on raising corn, soybeans, wheat, cattle, and pigs. He turned the farm over to his son, Jeff, in 1998 to enjoy a life of semi-retirement. Butch could still always be counted on to help out Jeff during the busy seasons. He especially loved to run the combine, which he continued to do through the 2014 harvest season.
In his free time, Butch was an active member of Milford Center United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and was a lay leader. He was also a member of the Milford Center Lions Club, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Pork Association, and Ohio Grain. Always community-oriented, he served as an advisor with the Rosedale Grow-em-Quick 4-H club and helped with the Madison County Junior Fair for several years.
Butch was an optimistic and positive person, facing every challenge head-on and never let physical limitations hold him back. He was patient, generous, helpful, and always willing to assist other farmers in need. He loved his family and will be remembered as an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. Upon retiring from his work, he loved spending time watching the grandkids participate in sports and activities. Butch and Sandy spent 15 years snowbirding in Pine Island, where they got to enjoy golf, bocce ball, fishing, and spending time with friends. He loved to travel and visited locations all over the world, which he always spoke fondly of during his later years. Some of his favorite trips included ocean cruises, two big family vacations to Disney World, a big three-week trip to Europe, trips to Canada and Mexico, and countless vacations all over the United States. He loved those family vacations and always said they were worth every penny that was paid.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Powers and Mary Pace Jr.; his sister, Elizabeth “Betsy” Sonnenberg; father and mother-in-law, Paul and Jean Overturf; sister-in-law, Shirley Madden Copp; and nephew, Benji Madden. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years and his sweetheart for 61 years, Sandy; daughter, Susie (Eric) Holdaway; son, Jeff (Tena) Pace; four grandchildren, Gillian Pace, Will Pace, Samantha Holdaway, and Emma Holdaway; two nieces, Kellie (Mike) Johnston and Becky (Dave) Magnuson; and one nephew, Mike (Laura) Madden.
Memorial services will be held at Milford Center United Methodist Church (55 E. State St. Milford Center, Ohio 43045) on January 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. A light lunch will be served after the memorial. Conner & Koch Funeral Home of Bellbrook is serving the family. If desired, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences are at www.connerandkoch.com.
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