Loa Jean Putman, 78, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 31 at her home in Wauseon surrounded by her loving family. She was a longtime resident of Delta. Loa was born on January 20, 1938 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Walter and Blanche Melba (Gallette) Hupp. She graduated from Maumee High School and went on to receive her RN degree from the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing.
When out with a group of her fellow nursing students one evening at a local pub, Loa met a handsome member of a team of softball players who were out celebrating a win. That man, Israel (Bud) Putman Jr, would become her husband on June 7, 1958. Bud and Loa soon filled their home with 4 children.
Loa worked as a nurse at both the Toledo Hospital and the Murtiff Medical Center (formerly Perkins), in Delta. However, her greatest love was being the matriarch of the Putman family. She and Bud enjoyed attending the Delta United Methodist Church, at one time being active members of their Sunday School class, and enjoyed camping trips and canoeing together. As they raised their children, they never missed their ball games, swim meets, or concerts. When they welcomed grandchildren, they proudly became their #1 fans, and rarely missed any of their activities, and they were overjoyed when they earned new titles as ‘Papa 2’ and ‘Gigi with the Legos’ to their great grandsons.
After retirement, Bud and Loa enjoyed attending Toledo Rocket basketball games, and also were huge fans of the Tennessee Lady Vols, travelling to see many of their games in Tennessee. In addition to being a member of the Delta United Methodist Church, Loa was a member of the Delta Legion Auxiliary, and enjoyed volunteering at the Open Door and Hands of Grace in Delta. She loved to read and cross stitch, lovingly crafting projects for her children and most recently for her two granddaughters’ wedding gifts. Perhaps her most encompassing call was being a constant support to her husband as he spent many years of involvement in numerous branches of Freemasonry.
While Loa was a loving mother to all of her children, she had a special devotion to her youngest daughter Barbara Putman Phillips, as she struggled with Cystic Fibrosis. Barb required much care and attention managing her disease from birth, and she could not have asked for a better mom to nurture and care for her during her illness. Barb passed away on May 19, 2011, and Loa cared for her with a loving devotion until her last breath. Soon after, she lost her husband of 54 years, as Bud joined Barb in heaven on November 16, 2012. Recently, she hung a large painting above her fireplace mantel, and anyone who visited would be led toward it as she explained how proud she was of her family, who struggled together with Barb’s lifelong illness and death, and so soon after losing their dad, and now were by her side as she struggled through her battle with cancer. The picture is of a large oak tree, and reads- ‘Our family is like the branches of a tree. We may grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one’. FAMILY is the legacy that our dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother left behind, and her love, grace, and strength will forever be our roots and foundation.
In addition to her parents, husband, and daughter, Loa was preceded in death by her brother Gary Hupp. She is survived by her son Michael Putman, daughters Denise (James) Ahle and Gail (Rick) Roe, and son-in-law Joe Phillips. Also surviving is her sister Betty (Randy) Trotter, brothers, Ralph (Gloria) and Larry (Jennifer) Hupp, sisters-in-law Carol Segrist and Joyce Williams, and brother-in-law Leslie Pfund. Left to cherish her memory are grandchildren Jenelle (Eric) Stevens, Craig (Tiffany Solly) Knierim, Lauren (Colton) Omler, Krista (Bill) Schindel, Emily Ahle, Justin (Rachel) Phillips, and Marissa and Jordyn Phillips. Her great grandsons are Tucker Knierim and Abram and Emerson Stevens.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2265 Livernois, Suite 410, Troy, MI 48083 and the Delta United Methodist Church in her name. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.barnesfuneralchapel.com.
