Richard E. Putman

Richard E. Putman of Middle Point died at 4:24 a.m. Saturday, June 20, 2015, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born May 7, 1934, in Van Wert County, the son of Oliver and Elizabeth (Walter) Putman, who both preceded him in death.

Survivors include his loving companion of 28 years, Mary Ann Meihls of Middle Point; three children, Diana (Chris) Creekmore of Van Wert, David Putman of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Dennis (Laura) Putman of Van Wert; three stepchildren, Gary (Shelly) Meihls and Ron (Diana) Meihls, both of Hagerstown, Maryland, and Deborah Fox of Green Cove Springs, Florida; a sister, Sharon Feasby of Monroeville, Indiana; and seven grandchildren, Eric (Alyssa) Putman, Tyler Putman, Alyson (Anthony) Carter, Johnathan Putman, Ashley (Cory) Compton, Drew (Katie) Creekmore, and Spencer Creekmore; eight stepgrandchildren, Crystal Meihls, Sabrina Meihls, Corey Meihls, Marie Meihls, Lisa Meihls, Ryan Meihls, Loran Manning and Will (Misty) Fox; five great-grandchildren, Easton Putman, Addison Putman, Evelyn Carter, Madyln Goodwen and Lillian Compton; and six stepgreat-grandchildren, Sierra Meihls, Serenity Meihls, Liam Manning, William Fox, Mary Ann Fox and Waylon Fox.

Mr. Putman was a retired truck driver and a veteran of the United States Army. He also belonged to the Van Wert County Harness Horsemen’s Association and Indiana Standardbred Association.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 24, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Paul w. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery in rural Van Wert County, with graveside military honors performed by the combined units of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both of Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center or Middle Point Fire & EMS.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.