Leon Joseph Putnam

Leon Joseph Putnam, 88, of Tiffin, died at 2:05 pm Sunday, November 5, 2017, at Elmwood at the Shawhan.

He was born December 7, 1928, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Forrest and Hazel (Dresselhouse) Putnam.  He married Phyllis Millspaugh, May 15, 1955, in Rochester, New York, and she survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Mark (Sherry) Putnam of Lima, and Lee Putnam of Seattle, Wash.; a grandson, Carter Forrest Putnam of Lima; his twin brother, Lloyd W. Putnam of Tiffin; and a sister, Marilyn Pries of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Thelma Putnam.

Mr. Putnam was a graduate of Jackson, Michigan High School, the University of Michigan, Colgate Rochester Divinity School, and Harvard University.  He was a retired professor of religion and philosophy at Heidelberg University, having taught from 1959 to 1994.   He was an ordained American Baptist minister, and a member of Tiffin Kiwanis Club, where he recently received the Hixson Award.  He published a book in 1967, "The Future of Faith," which he used in his teachings at Heidelberg.  He had served as a board member of Community Hospice Care, and he was a member of the Ohio Humanities Council.  He enjoyed his cats and reading newspapers.  He was an avid photographer and a lover of classical music.  He enjoyed collecting stamps, books, Tiffin postcards, classical music, and other items too numerous to mention.

A Celebration of Lives open house for Phyllis and Leon will take place from 1:30-4:30pm on Saturday May 19, 2018 at Reino’s Catering Room, 120 S. Washington St., Tiffin.

Memorials may be made to Heidelberg University.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory.  To send condolences, go to www.traunerofuneralhome.com.