John Button

John Charles Button, 77, of Conneaut Lake, died from complications from COVID-19 on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at Meadville Medical Center.

He was born on November 1, 1943, in Jamestown, New York, the son of James Button and Ellen Johnson Button.  He graduated from Panama High School in Panama, New York.  On March 16, 1963, he married Bonnie L. Sager.  She preceded him in death on January 28, 2014.

John and Bonnie are survived by their three children:  Penny L. Clark, of Conneaut Lake; Christopher J. Button and his wife, Alex, of Vienna, VA; and Keith A. Button and his wife, Valerie, of Conneaut Lake.

Before his retirement in 2010, John worked for 23 years for EMMCO-WEST’s Regional Emergency Medical Services office, where he inspected ground and air ambulance service vehicles for state licensure.  He also inspected quick response and fire rescue service vehicles for state recognition.

John was the kind of volunteer so many communities so desperately need these days.  He was a long-time member of Conneaut Lake Area Ambulance Service (CLAAS) and Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Department (CLVFD).  He enjoyed sharing the story of his narrow escape from the Hotel Iroquois fire in Conneaut Lake in 1978, when a portion of a ceiling collapsed while he was in an interior hallway fighting the blaze.  His children remember him running out the door countless times in the middle of the night, on his way to another fire or ambulance call. He was made a life member of both CLAAS and CLVFD after his retirement from both organizations.  He also taught many emergency medical technician (EMT) and first responder courses over the years.

John also served on the governing board of the Conneaut Lake Municipal Authority for a total of sixteen years.

John was a long-time member of Trinity Methodist Church in Conneaut Lake, and he was also a fixture at Station 3 in Conneaut Lake.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Norene Lindquist; and a son-in-law, Gary Clark.

Besides his children, he is survived by a sister, Sharon Rea, of Panama, NY; a brother, Norman Button, and his wife, Cheryl, of Panama, NY; and a brother-in-law Dene Lindquist, of Kennedy, NY.  He was proud of every one of his four grandsons, John (Jack) and Ryan Button, of Vienna, VA; and Nate and Daniel Button, of Conneaut Lake.

John also enjoyed fishing for bass and pike, and coaching baseball when his sons were young.  He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

John will be interred with his late wife in Lakeview Cemetery.  Due to the pandemic, there will be no services at this time.  A memorial service will be held by the family when circumstances permit.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Conneaut Lake Area Ambulance Service, the Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Department, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Private arrangements are under the direction of Hatheway-Tedesco Funeral Home, 614 Baldwin Street, Meadville.  Condolences are welcomed at hatheway-tedesco.com.