Jane Herbst Butler

JANE HERBST BUTLER Jane Herbst Butler passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on February 10, 2021. She was predeceased by her husband John Martin Herbst of 10 years and Dempsey Butler Jr. of 25 years, parents Karl and Anne Arleth, brother Karl Arleth and sister Anne Castruccio and son-in-law Mario A. Balestreri. Jane will be lovingly remembered by her surviving brother-in-law Nick Castruccio, her four children Tina Balestreri, Mark Herbst (Suzanne), Karl Herbst, and Lisa Jane DeSantiago. She will also be fondly remembered by her eight grandchildren Mario Balestreri (Josephine), John Balestreri (Michelle), Mark Herbst (Jessica), Lucas Herbst, Maria Herbst, Jennifer Jane Collins (Tom), John Brady Hayworth, David DeSantiago, and her 12 great-grandchildren Sarah Lynch (Robby), Mario Balestreri, Nik Balestreri (Corinna), Anthony Balestreri (Sarah), Cristina Balestreri, John Martin Balestreri, Andrew Balestreri, Anna Balestreri, Ty Collins, Taylor Jane Collins, Ava Jane Hayworth, Holden Herbst, and four great-great-grandchildren Leighton Balestreri, Finley and Tony Balestreri, and Chloe Lynch. Jane was also Aunt to many nieces and nephews. Jane was born on September 1, 1930, in Los Angeles, California. In 1950, she married John Martin Herbst, who was killed while performing in an airshow as a VF-84 Jolly Rogers Fighter Pilot-flying the F8- C Crusader. As a result, Jane tragically became a widow in 1960 and had to face the reality of raising four children by herself. In 1961 she made the decision to move her little family from Virginia Beach, VA, to Monterey, California. She chose Monterey because while John was attending the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), they decided Monterey is where she and John had planned to retire when the time came. Once getting her family settled in Monterey, Jane stayed very active in Navy activities. In 1970 she had the distinguished honor of becoming the first woman President of the Navy League serving at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey while singlehandedly raising four children, and never wavered in her love and commitment to them and instilled in them the love of family. Once all her children were raised and "out of the nest," Jane married Dempsey Butler, Jr., a Navy Fighter Pilot (VF-111). They enjoyed 25 years together. After Dempsey died in 2009, she moved to Park Lane Senior Living facility. She enjoyed her life there and was so grateful to the Caregiving staff that took such good care of her. Due to COVID restrictions, there will be a small, private family service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jane Herbst Butler’s memory to Central Coast VNA Hospice, 5 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Monterey, Ca 93940