Those close to Floyd "Butch" Coburn described him as a "people person" who was well liked by residents in the city of Butler, where he was first elected mayor in 2003.

Coburn died Sunday in a Williams County, Ohio, motorcycle crash. He was 64.

The late mayor is survived by nine children and dozens of grandchildren and is remembered fondly by the people in his community.

Most mornings Coburn could be found enjoying breakfast and socializing at the Butler Eat’n Haus, at 223 S. Broadway. He would arrive at 8 a.m. sharp and sit at a round table, said owner Robin Helbert, 49.

"He sat at a position at that table where he could greet everybody that would come in the front door," said Helbert, who first met Coburn when she was 18. "He went out of his way to greet people."

When the two met, Coburn owned a restaurant named Mom’s Place, in St. Joe, and Helbert worked there as a waitress. Since then their friendship grew, with Coburn attending her daughter’s high school graduation and wedding, and many other special events, Helbert said.

"He was just really loved and well liked by everybody," she said. "He was more than just a customer."

Troopers at the Defiance Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said the crash happened just after 3 p.m. Sunday near Pioneer, as a group of motorcyclists were riding on U.S. 20.

One of the bikers, Michael D. Wasson, 58, of Butler, slowed down on U.S. 20. When he reduced his speed, he was struck from behind by Coburn, troopers said.

Coburn then drove off the left side of the road, rolling his Honda motorcycle. Coburn, who troopers said was wearing a helmet, was ejected from the bike and died at the scene.

Wasson escaped injury, troopers said.

An avid motorcycle rider, Coburn was on his way home after a poker run in Toledo on Sunday when the crash occurred, said his stepson Ron Baker, 43.

On evenings and weekends Coburn could often be found at varsity and junior varsity basketball games for DeKalb Eastern Schools. There he ran the scoreboard and clock.

In October, children were familiar with Coburn’s home, as it was "the place to go" for trick-or-treating, Helbert said.

"He was very active with kids," said Ron Walter, Butler City Council president, and friend to Coburn for more than 30 years. "He just loved being around kids."

Walter, 57, a Republican, is in his 18th year as a councilman.

"He took his job seriously. He made himself available to the people in town whether it was by telephone or just stopping down at his house," Walter said. "He didn’t hide from his duties. He didn’t try to push his agenda on anyone."

Flags at the city building and police department in the town of 2,800 are flying at half-staff through Friday in memory of Coburn, Walter said.

"He’s going to be missed in the community just because he was so available," Walter said.

Coburn also enjoyed spending time with his family, Baker said.

"He was just loved by everybody," Baker said. "He was just kind of happy go lucky."

Coburn, who was born and raised in St. Joe, graduated from Riverdale High School. He went on to serve on St. Joe Town Council in the 1970s and then as Butler City Court judge from 1992 to 2001. He retired in February 2007 from his position as the maintenance lead man at Nucor Fastener.

Funeral services for Coburn are 11 a.m. Thursday at the Eastside High School Auditorium, at 603 E. Green St., in Butler. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at H. E. Johnson & Sons Funeral Home in Butler.

Memorials can be made to the Butler Nazarene Church or DeKalb County Humane Shelter.

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