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John W. Putman, 92, of Rushsylvania, died early Monday morning, Oct. 24, 2016, at Logan Acres Care Center in Bellefontaine.
He was born Dec, 8, 1923, in Toledo, a son of David and Florence Krock Putman. He married Betty Jeanne Wilson on Jan. 26, 1948, at the Wilson home, and she preceded him in death in 2001.
John enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1942. In May, he saw a notice on the company bulletin board for volunteers for the Army Air Corps. He raised his hand and headed to gunnery training school in Las Vegas, Nev. He completed 42 bombing missions over Europe as a B-17 tail gunner. In 1945, he was released from active duty and headed to Detroit, Mich., to work.
In August 1946, he re-enlisted in the Air Force where he remained until 1966. John was honorably discharged with the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart among other medals. He loved his time of service and often talked about all the places he had been. John also dedicated 20 years of service at Siemens Electric in both Marysville and Bellefontaine and retired from there in 1986.
He was a member of the Rushsylvania Lions Club, served on the Logan County School Board and was an active member of the Rushsylvania United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School for many years.
He never got over his love of flying and enjoyed opportunities to fly privately with friends. He always enjoyed traveling and he and Jeanne did much of it during their retirement years.
Survivors include a daughter, Jo Anne (Jerry) Harshbarger of Tennessee; a son, Mark (Lori) Putman of Pennsylvania, eight grandchildren, Lori Stahler and Chris Carey, both of Ohio, Jennifer (Darby) Beck of Pennsylvania, Jessica Putman-Villalba (Eddie) of Colorado, John (Damaris) Putman of Texas and Carrie Morda, Aimee (Kevin) Maziarz and Matt (Krissa) Putman, all of Pennsylvania; many great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Rushsylvania United Methodist Church, 152 Rush St., Rushsylvania, where the funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, with Pastor Scott Miller officiating. Burial follows at the Rushsylvania Cemetery with military honors provided by the Logan County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rushsylvania United Methodist Church and the Rushsylvania Lion’s Club.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine assisted the family with arrangements and condolences may be expressed at www.edsfh.com.