About Us

President / Treasurer of Livingston-Butler-Volland Funeral Home. Graduate of University of Minnesota 1971, B. S. in Mortuary Science. Licensed in Nebraska since 1972 and in Kansas since 1979. Married to Marie K (Smith) Butler, two sons John M.G.(Nicki) and Luke P.G.(Heidi) Butler, and 5 grandchildren. Member of NFDA, Nebraska Funeral Directors Association, and International Order of The Golden Rule. Served as IOGR President 2002-2003 and past president of FAMIC.   Involved in numerous civic, fraternal, and religious organizations including a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, 4th Degree KC, and American Legion Post #11.

Vice President / Secretary of Livingston-Butler-Volland Funeral Home. He earned his B.S. Degree in Business Management from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas in 1994. Mortuary Science Degree from Kansas City Community College, Kansas City, Kansas. While at Kansas State, John was a member of the Wildcat Football team, being a team captain his senior year. Returned to the family business in 1995. John is married to Nicki (Walford) Butler, twin daughters Tayelor and Shaye, and son Cooper. John is a licensed embalmer and funeral director. A member of St.Cecilia Catholic Church, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus as well as other civic organizations.

Nicki is an Advance Funeral Planning Specialist.  She graduated from Hastings College with a degree in Human Resource Management in 1998.  She is married to John Butler and they have twin girls, Tayelor and Shaye, and a son, Cooper.  Member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church and volunteers at Hastings Catholic Schools. Will do speaking engagements for clubs, groups, or organizations, on pre-need planning, upon request.

Larry attended the University of Northern Colorado and graduated with a Mortuary Science Degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1963. He came home to Hastings, Nebraska to help with the family business. Married to Uschi Butler and father to Erik and Tyson Butler. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church, Masonic Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Shrine. Larry is also active in numerous fraternal and civic organizations. He retired on October 1, 2004.

Funeral Director / Embalmer employed December 1993. Graduated from Central Community College, Hastings College, and Kansas City, KS College of Mortuary Science, Dec. 1993. He was married to the late Jane Davis and has a daughter and a son. Member of First St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Masonic Temple Mid-West Lodge #317 A.F. and A.M., and also Scottish Rite. He retired on March 3rd, 2021. 

Melissa is our Office Manager, she joined our staff in August 2009 after moving to the area in 2007.  Melissa is originally from Gothenburg and is married to Lonnie Abbott.  They have two daughters, Kirsten and Teagan.  She is a member of Grace United Methodist Church. She enjoys scrapbooking, attending sporting events, and spending time with family and friends.

Jake started working at the funeral home in January 2016 during his first year of college. Then attended Kansas City, Kansas Community College and earned a degree in Mortuary Science in 2018. Jake returned in January 2019 to work for the funeral home. Jake has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer since January 2019. Jake enjoys being outdoors in his free time and has two dogs. 

Mike is a Hastings native and began his funeral career at Livingston Butler Volland in 1998 during his senior year at Hastings College attaining his Bachelors in Biology.  He then graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College in 1999 with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science and returned to Hastings in 2005.  Mike rejoined our staff in 2021.  He served in the United States Army as a Mortuary Affairs Specialist and enjoys motorcycles and the outdoors.

Shelbi started working at the funeral home in 2010 during her first year of college. Then attended Kansas City, Kansas Community College and earned a degree in Mortuary Science in 2013. She returned to Hastings to work for the funeral home. Shelbi has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 2014.

Shelbi was married to the late RJ Barnes and has two children, Britton and Brinley. Shelbi and her children attend North Shore Assembly of God.

Scott is a Hastings native and began working at Livingston Butler Volland in September of 2023. He attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Scott has 2 daughters (Jaunice and Tanisha) and 5 grandchildren. Scott enjoys following Nebraska sports (especially volleyball), golfing and spending time with his kids and grandkids. Scott is a member of Faith Lutheran Church where he sings in the choir, is an usher and communion assistant and is on the Board of Finance.