Arthur Stephen “Butch” Vellesig, age 66 passed away peacefully at home in West Labanon on September 22, 2017 with his sister, Ellie Hancock by his side.
He was born in 1951 in Indiana to Arthur W. and Elizabeth Henkel Vellesig.
Butch was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Kent.
He was a very active person and touched many lives as he participated in various activities throughout his lifetime. As a young adult he was a social worker with the Indiana County Community Action program, (ICCAP), for approximately 10 years. He was a member of the board of the Easter Seals of Indiana County and served as a poster representative for the organization. Butch spent many years on the Southwestern Board of Medical Protocol.
Butch was an avid animal lover and his beloved Bella, his service companion, raveled everywhere with him for over 16 years. He also had an extensive pin collection that he wore on his cape. He loved Penn State Football and was a member of the Nittany Lion Club since 1969 and attended every bowl game destination at least once with his parents and family. Butch was considered IUP’s Basketball Super Fan and followed IUP since 1968. He and his mother appeared on IUP’s Magazine cover in 1995. He also received numerous awards from IUP over the years. Butch attended West Labanon baseball games with his father for over 30 years.
Butch’s favorite times included gatherings with family and friends. He enjoyed his mother’s delicious cooking and baking, especailly around the holidays.
Butch is survived by his sister Eleanor “Ellie” Hancock and husband Robert, Somerset; niece/goddaughter, Janine Dudash and husband Andrew, Huntingdon; nephew Eric DeFrancesco and wife Lori, Peters Twp.; six great nieces and nephews; Silas, Kazmira, August, and Miles Dudash; Olivia and Connor DiFrancesco; many friends and extended family members. His mother was his primary caregiver for 52 years until her stroke. More recently, he had the following caregivers, Melinda Montgomery, Lisa and Rodney Young, Carl Goldberg, his sister Ellie, and especially his long-time attendant Steve Maines. Butch’s family credits his longevity to the care of many doctors, especially Dr. Imran Bajwa, who was not only his doctor but also his friend, and for that they are eternally grateful.
He was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth in 2009 and his father Arthur in 2012, a brother Richard Vellesig in 1965.
Visitation will be held at Bowser-Minich Funeral Home on Sunday, September 24 from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 PM, and Butch requested that Penn State and IUP fans wear the college jersey of their choice. A funeral mass will be celebrated Monday at 1:30 PM at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Kent, with the Rev. Fr. William Lechnar, the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Four Footed Friends, Indiana Co. Humane Society, or the Church of the Good Shepherd.
