Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Steven John Matthew Butala, passed away May 19, 2022, in Provo, Utah, weeks before his 58th birthday.

See 4 photos

Steven was born June 8, 1964, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Steve and Geraldine Marciniak Butala. Later in life, he was confined to a wheelchair due to a battle with Muscular Dystrophy, and was an amazing example of perseverance through trials and enduring them well.

He married Sherilyn Pearson Butala on June 20, 1998 in the Utah Mount Timpanogos Temple. Together, they served as loving foster parents for many years, and were blessed with four amazing children — Taylor, Jessika, McKay, and Faith. Sheri passed away Oct. 14, 2019, in Provo. Steven remarried March 20, 2021, bringing Patricia Genevieve Butala into the family. The two have formed a strong union of their two families. Steven and Trish were sealed Jan. 21, 2022 in the Provo, Utah Temple.

Steven was always a man of learning. He had a highly technical mind, and the ability to relate the world of science to his understanding of spiritual matters.

He studied heavy equipment mechanics at Universal Technical Institute, graduating in 1983. Later, he returned to school, earning a bachelor of science in chemistry at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1993. He earned his PhD in chemistry at Brigham Young University in 1999, and then did post-doctoral research at the University of Southern California in super acid catalysis.

Steven’s career accomplishments include service as a lead scientist and assistant bureau director at the Utah Department of Health. He worked as a scientist with Wiltec Research Company, Inc., and was a research scientist at New Vistas.

Throughout his life, Steven was a man of incredible faith. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Washington, D.C. and he was an outstanding gospel teacher, always anxiously engaged in teaching callings in the Church, even while confined to a wheelchair. He served as a Sunday School teacher. At the time of his passing, Steven was serving as a service missionary for the Church, working with those who are struggling with addiction recovery.

Steven was preceded in death by his mother, Geraldine, his father Steve, his sister Linda Foster, and his brother, Jay Butala, and by Sheri.

He is survived by his children Taylor Danielle Christiansen(Forrest), Jessika Haylie Butala, McKay Steven Butala, and Faith Angellina Butala, his grandson, Odin, and his wife, Patricia.

All who knew Steven will miss his sense of humor, his scholarly knowledge, and his care and concern for others. He was a man who was always in the service of his Savior, Jesus Christ. As he battled illness over the past few years, Steven provided powerful witness of the power of enduring well to the end.

On May 19, he received a release from the pain and suffering of his physical body and the peace that came as he arrived in the presence of that Savior he served, along with the friends and family who preceded him death, and all of those for whom he served as proxy in the temple, a place he loved to serve.

Steven’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service Monday, May 23, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at the Edgemont South Stake Center, 350 E. 2950 North, in Provo.

Interment will precede the memorial service at 10 a.m. that morning at Timpanogos Memorial Gardens, 1000 North 400 East, Orem, Utah.

The Butala family wished to thank the incredible healthcare professional and caregivers who have served the family over the past few years. They also express their appreciation to member of the Pleasant View 4th Ward and other friends who have served Steven and the family.