Jon Alan Putzke

NEW BUFFALO - Jon Alan Putzke, 76, of New Buffalo, MI, passed away peacefully at his home in Vero Beach, FL on February 4th, 2025.

Jon was born on March 7th, 1948, in Michigan City, IN. He grew up in New Buffalo, MI, where he discovered a lifelong passion for the theatre. Over his 68-year career, Jon directed numerous theatrical productions across the Midwest, including at The Dunes Summer Playhouse (Michiana, IN), The Gateway Players and The Tin Tree (New Buffalo, MI), Drury Lane (Chicago, IL), The Mountaineer Dinner Theatre (Hurricane, WV), and in Florida, where his work spanned hundreds of shows at the Musicana Dinner Theatres of West Palm, Indian Harbor, and Vero Beach, as well as Riverside Theatre, Encore Alley, the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, and Theatre-Go-Round Dinner Theatre.

Jon is lovingly survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret M. Zientarski Putzke. Jon and Marg's love story began in first grade, blossomed in 7th grade, and culminated in their 55-year marriage, built on a shared love of theatre. Marg contributed to many of Jon's shows as a costume designer and often played piano in "the pit."

Their son, Brandon, is an accomplished percussionist, music educator, and owner of Treasure Coast Percussion and Father & Son Pressure Washing. Brandon and his wife, Mary, have been married for 29 years and have two children: Grace, 25, a nurse in Charlotte, NC, and Tyler, 23, who has just completed his four-year service as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps.

Jon was preceded in death by his brother, Edward J. Putzke, and his parents, Lorna M. Abel Putzke and Edwin W. Putzke.

A visionary in every sense, Jon chose to donate his eyes for transplant to the Lion's World Vision Institute, leaving behind a lasting legacy of generosity.

In Jon's memory a flag will be raised over the New Buffalo Township Library at 3:30 pm on Friday, June 27th.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, June 27th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm ending with a Rosary at 7:00 pm at Sommerfeld Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Home, 15 N Barton St, New Buffalo, MI 49117.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church on Saturday, June 28th, at 11:00 am with burial in Pine Grove Cemetery in New Buffalo, MI.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Mary of the Lake, 718 W Buffalo St, New Buffalo, MI 49117.