Larry J. Putnam

Larry Junior Putnam of Caro, age 86, passed away peacefully on his own terms with his beloved family by his side on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Covenant HealthCare – Cooper in Saginaw. Larry was born on July 23, 1939, in Caro, Michigan, to the late Harold and Aileene (Mileski) Putnam and was a 1955 graduate of Marlette High School. He married Mary Ann Russell on August 3, 1985, and the couple would share countless memories until her unfortunate passing on February 15, 2009. After high school, Larry farmed with his father in Cass City and Marlette until he was drafted into the United States Army. He served his country from 1965 until his honorable discharge in 1967 and was fiercely proud of his time in the military.

Larry worked for General Motors at the Steering Gear plant in Saginaw as a Job Setter for over 34 years, retiring in 2000. In his youth, Larry was an outdoorsman, spending time hunting, fishing, camping, and waterskiing throughout the state with his family, but settled into a simpler life in his older years, though he could often be found playing Bingo and running the roads with his significant other, Jill Milostan. Larry was a family man to his core, treasuring time spent with the children he was so proud of and the grandbabies who lovingly knew him as Papa. He was a practical man to the very end who enjoyed living a simple life with no fuss, but he had a big, soft heart, especially for his family.

Larry is survived by children, Rachel (David) Putnam-Farley, Adam (Stacy Yeary) Putnam, Kathy (Mike) Urban-Hansen, and Jim (Tammy) Urban; grandsons, Max, Rex, and Travis; siblings, Eugene Putnam and Norma (Richard) Kraus; and significant other, Jill Milostan; as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members, friends, and his grand-dogs Jake and Molly.

Larry was preceded in death by wife, Mary Ann Putnam; son, George Putnam; siblings, Richard Putnam, Doris Jean Michalik, Robert Putnam, and Jim Putnam; and infant brother, Jerry.

In accordance with Larry’s wishes, cremation is to take place. A memorial service for Larry will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Ransford Funeral Home – Caro, 205 West Sherman Street, with Rev. Michele Hile presiding. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family, with checks payable to Rachel Putnam-Farley.