Warren Eugene “Butch” Dake, 74, of Springfield, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Maranatha Village, following a protracted, courageous battle with dementia.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 10 o’clock a.m., with military honors to start at 10:30 a.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, 3506 North National.

Butch was born October 30, 1949, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, the son of James A. and Velma Nadine (Baker) Dake.  In 1951, the family relocated to the Los Angeles area, eventually settling in Charter Oak.  When Butch was five, he began limping and was diagnosed with Legg Calve’ Perthes disease.  He was admitted to Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles and was in traction for six months, and then was sent home in a wheelchair, and then crutches.  Through his parents’ careful care and Butch’s dogged determination, he eventually fully recovered.  The experience left its mark on Butch, who in his typical “lemons to lemonade” resolve, throughout his life always protected those around him who were most vulnerable and at risk for harm.

In 1964, a job promotion brought the family to Springfield, Missouri, where Butch was active in sports, especially baseball.  Following graduation from Central High School, Butch entered the United States Air Force.  Following his honorable discharge, he returned to the Springfield area.  He was talented in landscaping and gardening, designing and transforming yards into enviable parks, and had the ability to make anything grow.  Always the entrepreneur, he harnessed his mechanical skills into operating a small engine repair shop.

Butch was known for his gregarious, outgoing personality and sense of humor, and he never met a stranger.  His favorite moments were spent in the company of family and friends, and fishing out on the lake.  He was resourceful and the first to step up in difficult situations, his loyalty and fearlessness knew no bounds, and he had a heart of gold.  To the very end, his sense of humor was intact, much to the delight and enjoyment of the staff and residents of Maranatha.

He is survived by his two sons, Warren Dake, Jr. (Patricia), of St. Mary’s, GA;  Adam Dake of California; step-daughter Tina Palmer, of Blanchard, OK; a sister, Connie Arnold, of Springfield; two brothers, Ernie (Julie) Dake of Springfield, and Jim (Mary Lynn) Dake of Andover, KS; 5 grandchildren, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews and their children.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his nephew, Kenneth E. (Dillon) Arnold; and his great nephew, Tevin Geike.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Maranatha Village and Phoenix Hospice, for the kind care and gentle comfort they provided to Butch throughout his difficult physical challenges – thank you for helping him to face it all with humor and grace.

Within an ordinary life, Butch was extraordinary, and at the core of his being was a life lived for family and the welfare of his fellow man.  Butch, your light has left us much too soon, and we will always be grateful for the gift that was uniquely you.