Robert E. Putnam

Robert “Bob” Edmund Putnam entered eternal rest on October 11, 2014. He was born in Lowellville, OH on June 8, 1927, the son of Burl Lloyd and Audrey Marie (Adams) Putnam. He graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1945 and went in to the Navy, serving from the end of WWII to 1948.

On April 3, 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Anne McLaughlin with whom he spent 65 years of marriage until her passing on February 9, 2014. Bob has been a life member of Immaculate Conception Parish and the Knights of Columbus.


He went to work for the Ohio Power Company on his return from the Navy. He then worked for the former Alsco Anaconda Company in Gnadenhutten as superintendent of shipping, receiving and warehousing until his retirement in 1982. He worked for Schreiner Ford as well, and managed a coal yard for the Valley Mining Company after his retirement. Bob was known for his teasing, his jokes and the fact that he never met a stranger. He was at ease talking to everyone.

In addition to his parents and wife, Bob is also preceded in death by his half-brother, James Fry; sisters: Audrey Albers, Patricia Walker, Margaret Altier, and Regina “Jean” Kauffman; and brother, John Putnam.

He will be greatly missed by his daughters: Kathy (Harold) Hawkins of New Albany, Susan (Larry) Davis of Massillon, Barbara (Earl) Arnold of Dennison, Christine (Steve) Rober of Dennison, and Maureen (Tom) Speckhard of Sartell, MN; sons: Robert (Debra) of Lock 17, Gnadenhutten, Neil (Jackie) of New Philadelphia, Mike (Dena) of Gnadenhutten, Edmund of Floral City, FL, Stephen (Davey) of New Philadelphia and Thomas (fiancée, Jane) of North Canton; 28 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Jo Battisfore, and brother, Neil (Shirley) Putnam.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, October 15 from 4-7pm with a Christian Wake service held at 3:30pm in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. A funeral mass, celebrated by Father Anthony Lonzo, will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Dennison at 10am on Thursday. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s cemetery near Dennison.

Robert’s family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Beacon Pointe and Tridia Hospice for their excellent care and compassion during his final days. Those wishing to honor his memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Immaculate Conception Church and Immaculate Conception Altar Society, 206 N. 1st Street, Dennison, OH 44621 and Tridia Hospice, 4680 Douglas Circle Canton, OH 44718.