Fred William Puttroff, Sr., of Newton died Friday, January 25 at the Via Cristi Regional Medical Center in Wichita. He was born December 14, 1926 in Newton, the son of Fred Merrill and Lucille Marie Blevins Puttroff. He attended Newton schools where he graduated in 1943.
After high school, Fred went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad for a short time before joining the U.S. Army. After being discharged from the military, he returned to working for the Santa Fe Railroad in Newton for 45 years until his retirement.
He married Roberta Jean Reynolds on December 1, 1950 in Newton; they had four children. Fred and Roberta were later divorced, she died August 2, 2004.
He married Edith Melzer on December 29, 1974 and they had one son. Edith died June 12, 2001.
He loved spending timie at his second home on Marion County Lake. He enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening and playinig poker. Through the years Fred had been an active member of the Newton Elks Lodge, Newton VFW, Post, where he was a member of the honor guard for several years. He also served as State Quartermaster for the VFW. He was also a member of the Newton American Legion.
Survivors: sons, Fred W. Puttroff, Jr., of Marion; Eric Puttroff and wife M. Blair of Newton; daughters, Judie Brewer and husband Ron of Newton; Karen Ryan and husband Dave of Escondido, California; Kelly Puttroff of McPherson; 12 grandchildren including hiis longtime caretaker Kristin Brewer and her husband, DeMario Smith; 18 great grandchildren and his former daughter-in-law, Jan Puttroff, Newton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant sons, John Michael and Phillip Gene; infant brother, James Robert Puttroff; a brother killed in WWII, John Merrill Puttroff and sister, Alice Jewel "Judy" Wood.
Memorial services will be at Broadway Colonial Funeral home. Inurnment wil be in the Greenwood Cemetery.
1926 - 2013 (86 years)