Obituary of Leslie D Puterbaugh

Leslie D Puterbaugh of Camdenton, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, November 3, 2010, in Columbia, Missouri, as a result of heart failure. He was born on November 10, 1932, in Mackinaw, Illinois, the son of Arthur and Letha (Gunion) Puterbaugh. He had three older sisters, Vivian (Conrad) Kitchell, Kathryn, and Lavon "Vernie" (Don) Meinen. Les grew up in Pekin, Illinois and graduated from high school there in 1951. Les met Joanne D Lohmeyer that year, and they began nearly 58 years of marriage on April 5, 1953. Six months later he was drafted into the Army. He served at Ft. Carson near Colorado Springs, Colorado, where their daughter, Cherie was born. After returning to Pekin, their son, Terry, was born. Les returned to work at Caterpillar, where he completed his training as a machinist. He worked at Cat for 42 years, mostly at the Mossville Technical Center as a Manufacturing Superintendent. Their youngest son, Eric, was born in 1968 in Pekin. The family moved to Hopewell, north of Peoria, Illinois, where he was the village's first mayor. After his retirement, Les and Joanne split their time between Mission, Texas in the winter and Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Les and Joanne have been long time members of the Christ the King Lutheran Church in Lake Ozark, Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; his sister, Vernie Meinen of Pekin, Illinois; three children and their families; Cherie Cook, and husband Bill, of Tokyo, Japan; Terry Puterbaugh, and wife Eva, of Denver, Colorado; and Eric Puterbaugh, and wife Raeann, of Chillicothe, Illinois. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren and their families; Joshua Cook of Keller, Texas; Micah Cook of Johnstown, Rhode Island; Emily Cook of Chicago, Illinois; Ryan and Shawn Puterbaugh of Denver, Colorado; Tara, Kaitlin, and Andrew Puterbaugh of Chillicothe, Illinois, and Lexi, Logan, Landen and Luke Ludolph. Also surviving are five great grandchildren; Brogan, Callie, Addy and Gavin Cook of Keller, Texas; and Molly Cook of Johnstown, Rhode Island. He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Kathryn Puterbaugh and Vivian Kitchell; granddaughter, Kathryn Cook; and great granddaughter, Tessa Grace Cook.