Butch’s Greatest Wish

For Ronald Edwards, more well known as “Butch”, hockey isn’t just a sport—it’s a lifelong passion So when our Galesburg team learned that his greatest wish was to reconnect with the game he once played and still holds dear, they came together to make it happen.

Katie England, Hospice Area Market Executive out of Galesburg, IL, shared Butch’s story with us—a moving reminder of how meaningful moments can be created through compassionate collaboration.

With the support of Knox County Nursing Home and Stephanie Leverton of the Peoria Rivermen, Butch attended a Rivermen playoff game, joined by his brother-in-law Todd and members of the Compassus Care Team.

The Rivermen made the evening even more meaningful by dedicating the game to Butch. A few players surprised him with a signed jersey, hat and puck—gifts that lit up his face with joy. Sitting right against the glass, watching the game unfold, Butch’s smile said it all.

It was more than a game. It was a moment of connection, joy and dignity—a reminder of the power of personalized, heartfelt care. For all who were there, it’s a memory that will live on. Click here to learn more about the Galesburg, IL hospice program, and click here to learn more about the Compassus Care for who I am philosophy.