Michael R. Putnam

06/27/1939 - 01/10/2026

Michael Ryan Putnam laid down the many earthly blessings God gave him over the last 86 years on Saturday, January 10, 2026. He laid down in that beautiful pasture and walked past the still waters with a restored soul following the tender, loving voice of his Lord and Savior. His greatest hope was that God would consider him among those who had overcome, and that he would be given manna and a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to God.

He was born on June 27, 1939, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Donald Putnam and Helen (Moog) Putnam. With a large extended family, as a boy he grew up with cousins, aunts and uncles all around, forging strong relationships that threaded across his lifetime. As an adult, he welcomed nieces and nephews, in-laws, and friends into his broad circle of loved ones. Michael prioritized family and invested deeply in those he loved and cared for. He took pride in their accomplishments and was also there to support them in times of need.

Michael met his wife, Jeanne, in Battle Creek, Michigan and their 60-year marriage was one of joy and faith. He will be cherished by Jeannie and their four children and spouses, Paul Putnam (Lynda), Michelle Putnam (Scott Parkman), Helen Twingley (Jonathan), and Rachel Engstrom (Jonathan); and five granddaughters, Faith, Kayela Marie, Gabriella, Eve, and Mackenzie. As "Grandpa," Mike was second to none - always available, always supportive, and always ready to instigate laughter. Mike deeply cared for his two surviving sisters, Patricia Croy and Marguerite "Peggy" Wheeler, brothers-in-law Willis Vanderberg, Stephen Baldwin, David Baldwin, and his best friend of 71 years, William Carpenter. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Roberta Thorngate and Donna Vanderberg; a multitude of loving aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his son-in-law, Ross.

Mike was a graduate of Lane Tech High School in Chicago, Illinois, where he was a star track- and-field athlete, the 1957 Chicago-area high jump champion. He served in the United States Air Force, Strategic Air Command, maintaining navigation and communications systems on B- 52 aircraft during Operation Chrome Dome at one of the peaks of the Cold War. He was also an employee of the U.S. Dept. of Energy, working at the Nevada Test Site on underground nuclear weapons testing in the mid-1960s, as well as an instrument technician for Titanium Metals Corp. in Henderson, Nevada early in his career. In 1970, he began working for Consumers Power Co. as a technician trainee in the Transmission System Planning Department. Committed to advancing his education, he graduated from Jackson Community College with an associates degree, then received a Bachelor of Science degree in Resource Development from Michigan State University in 1975 at the age of 35. He earned his degrees while working full-time and being a dedicated father.

Upon graduation from MSU, he transferred to the company's Environmental Department. There, he was instrumental in the development of compliance programs designed to assist the company's gas and electric workers in complying with U.S. EPA and Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources laws and regulations. He was privileged to serve for more than eight years on the Governor's Shorelands Advisory Committee as part of the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act. The committee helped direct federal funds to enhance and protect Michigan's over 3,200 miles of coastline, the nation's largest freshwater coast. Mike also presented numerous seminars for state and local environmental groups and energy-related organizations. Mike retired from Consumers in January 2000 and became an active volunteer. For 11 years, Mike served as a substitute driver for a Disabled American Veterans (DAV) van, transporting veterans from Jackson to the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was also deployed by the American Red Cross to assist during seven major natural disasters throughout the country often serving for weeks at a time, beginning with Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Along the way, he taught many disaster response classes. Alongside Jeannie, Mike served as a long-term caregiver for several extended family members, providing extensive support and assistance, helping to celebrate their lives and honor their passing.

Snowbirds, Mike and Jeannie spent winters in Sylvania, Georgia for 18 years. They attended Sylvania First Methodist Church and were members of the Nell Pace Sunday School Class.
They were truly blessed with many southern sisters and brothers in Christ and cherished memories of their time in Georgia. In Jackson, Mike and Jeannie have been members of Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church for over 3 decades, and long-time members of the Ambassadors Sunday School Class. Prior to that they attended First Baptist Church and Zion United Methodist Church, where they found lifelong friends.
Mike loved being outside in nature doing yard work, planting flowers and pushing a lawn mower into his 80s. Some of the best moments he had outdoors were deer hunting individually or with family. He looked forward to "tree stand therapy" in the fall months and greatly enjoyed watching the world wake up to God's beauty on crisp cool mornings. Mike will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, humor, and deep love of his family. He very much enjoyed being a father, grandfather, and loving husband. His favorite Bible verse served to inspire him throughout his life: "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23) Michael's family is grateful for the joy he brought to their lives, and for everyone who brought joy to his.
A memorial celebration will be held this summer at The Arbor Church, Spring Arbor, MI and interment at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI.