We have the winners! Red Bud, Ill. couple claims share of $656M Mega Millions jackpot

St. Louis Public Radio

Published April 18, 2012 at 10:29 AM CDT

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Merle Butler shows off his winning Mega Millions Quick Pick ticket that netted him nearly $111 million (after taxes) during a press conference in Red Bud, Ill. on April 18, 2012. Butler is a retired computer analyist from Red Bud.

(UPI/Bill Greenblatt)

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Butler and his wife Patricia get a look at an oversized check of their winnings in the Mega Millions Quick Pick during a press conference in Red Bud, Illinois on April 18, 2012.

(UPI/Bill Greenblatt)

A retired southern Illinois couple has claimed the third and final share of last month's record $656 million Mega Millions jackpot.

Illinois Lottery officials introduced Merle and Patricia Butler at a ceremony in their hometown of Red Bud, where they bought the winning ticket for the March 30 drawing.

The retired analysts chose to accept the prize as a lump-sum payment of $111 million after taxes.

They are the only one of the three winners whose names have been made public. Holders of the other tickets in Kansas and Maryland anonymously claimed their prizes.

They bought a $3 quick-pick ticket at the MotoMart convenience store in Red Bud, which is about 40 miles southeast of St. Louis.