Rodney “Butch” Wharton, 67, of Oskaloosa, died Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella. He was born January 28, 1958, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Harold and Fairy Mincer Wharton. He attended school in Oskaloosa. On August 9, 1980, he was united in marriage to Judith Northway at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oskaloosa. Butch worked various places in Oskaloosa including Cunningham’s and Clow Valve. Last he worked at Vermeer, retiring from there due to ill health. Butch was a talented musician, specifically a gifted drummer. In addition to working full time he was the drummer in two bands, The Lone Star Drifters and Country Persuasion. Butch toured all over Iowa and northern Missouri, they also played in Texas in the winter and went to Nashville to cut a record. In addition to music Butch loved to watch the NFL and always enjoyed when his Rams won. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oskaloosa. He was devoted to his family and always looked forward to family gatherings.
His family includes his three children, Bob Northway of San Angelo, Texas, Ray (Amanda) Wharton of Abilene, Texas, and Chad (Monica) Northway of Oskaloosa; twelve grandchildren, Misty Northway, Chad Northway, Dalton (Kourtnye) Northway, Bobby Northway, Shelby Wharton, Hazel Wharton, Kynzee Wharton, Avery Scott Northway, Nico Perez, Nitra Perez, Douglas Northway, and Dulcie Northway; thirteen grandchildren; a brother, Roy (Linda) Wharton of Pella; brother and sister in law, Fred and Bonnie Northway of Oskaloosa; and many nieces and nephews.
Rodney was preceded in death by his wife Judith Wharton of August 9, 2023; his parents; two sons, James Wharton and Tim Northway; his mother and father in law, Mary and Bud Northway; two brothers, Ray Wharton and Ron Wharton; and a sister, Beverly Leighton.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Molly Goodrich officiating. Burial will be in the Friends Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Wednesday after 1:00 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Wednesday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Wharton Family.
