Obituary for Dennis Alan Putman
Dennis Alan Putman, 60, of Peoria, Illinois died on August 15, 2009
at home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Dennis was born on November 30, 1948 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of Donna Rosemary and Robert Dale Putman. He married Claire Ann Putman on December 27, 1999 in South Haven, Michigan.
He is survived by his wife, Claire of Peoria, IL, step-daughter Jill and her husband Srdan Selimbegovic of DeKalb, IL, step-daughter Brandy Horan of St. Louis, MO and step-son Christopher and his wife Megan Horan of Peoria, IL.Â
Surviving from his previous marriage to Cynthia Villa of Morton, IL are son Jason and his wife Nicole Putman of Naperville, IL, son Jamie and his wife Karen Putman of West Peoria, IL, and daughter Jessica and her husband Shannon Snow of Greenville, IL.Â
Also surviving are seven grandchildren Michael Putman, Kate Putman, Julia Putman, Khan Selimbegovic, Maya Selimbegovic, Tyler Snow, Molly Snow; his brothers David and his wife Joanne Putman of South Haven, MI and Timothy and his wife Ana Putman of Grand Rapids, MI, his sister Kathy and her husband Rob Bennett of South Haven, MI. He is preceded in death by an infant brother Michael
and his parents.
Dennis graduated from Western Michigan University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. He and his wife, Claire, earned their MBA degrees together from Bradley University, graduating in 2003.Â
Dennis retired February 1, 2009 from Caterpillar Inc. after celebrating 35 years of service in September 2008. While at Caterpillar Dennis enjoyed the many lasting friendships he developed with his colleagues.  In addition to relocating within the US several times with the company he also enjoyed traveling and working outside of the US in the UK, France, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Switzerland and Japan.Â
Dennis loved running, earning many medals and trophies as he participated in local road races, four marathons and many half marathons. He ran in the St. Jude Tri County Runs, River to River Relays and was a member of the Illinois Valley Striders.Â
Dennis and Claire enjoyed cycling and took annual cycling excursions to different locations including Scotland, France and Alaska forming lasting relationships with dear friends. Dennis was a member of the Illinois Valley Wheelmen.Â
Dennis loved being a father and a grandfather and his greatest joys came from spending time with family and friends. He loved biking, running and hiking with Claire. He enjoyed golfing with Jason, fishing in Canada with Jamie and watching Jessica play soccer when young. He enjoyed trading childrearing techniques with Jill, watching Christopher pursue his dream of becoming an architect and discussing financial situations with Brandy.Â
Dennis enjoyed playing bridge with his brother Dave, running the Chicago Marathon with his brother Tim and discussing education topics with his sister Kathy. He loved to sail and at one time participated in weekly sailboat races on Lake Decatur. He coached youth soccer in Morton, Illinois for seventeen years while watching his children play.
Dennis had the pleasure of performing the wedding ceremonies for his step-daughter Jill Selimbegovic and her husband Srdan and for his niece Emily Davich and her husband David.Â
Dennis loved family vacations in South Haven, Michigan, attending the annual Blueberry Festival in the summer and returning to the sledding hill in the winter. In 2008 Dennis helped organize a family road trip to Jamestown, Virginia tracing his family’s roots. He was happy that all of his children were able to enjoy the trip with him.Â
In his leisure time Dennis enjoyed golfing and biking with his friends, tutoring in the Mathematics Lab at Illinois Central College, learning Spanish and preparing dogs to help people with disabilities through Paws Giving Independence.
Dennis’ family would like to thank Brad Post for his wonderful counseling help and the OSF Hospice team, including Nurse Tom, for all of their wonderful help keeping Dennis comfortable.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.Â
In lieu of services there will be a celebration of Dennis’ life held at Weaver Ridge on Thursday August 20, 2009 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. Family and friends are invited to attend and sign Dennis’ Memory Journal. The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Co. is assisting the family with arrangements.
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at home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Dennis was born on November 30, 1948 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of Donna Rosemary and Robert Dale Putman. He married Claire Ann Putman on December 27, 1999 in South Haven, Michigan.
He is survived by his wife, Claire of Peoria, IL, step-daughter Jill and her husband Srdan Selimbegovic of DeKalb, IL, step-daughter Brandy Horan of St. Louis, MO and step-son Christopher and his wife Megan Horan of Peoria, IL.Â
Surviving from his previous marriage to Cynthia Villa of Morton, IL are son Jason and his wife Nicole Putman of Naperville, IL, son Jamie and his wife Karen Putman of West Peoria, IL, and daughter Jessica and her husband Shannon Snow of Greenville, IL.Â
Also surviving are seven grandchildren Michael Putman, Kate Putman, Julia Putman, Khan Selimbegovic, Maya Selimbegovic, Tyler Snow, Molly Snow; his brothers David and his wife Joanne Putman of South Haven, MI and Timothy and his wife Ana Putman of Grand Rapids, MI, his sister Kathy and her husband Rob Bennett of South Haven, MI. He is preceded in death by an infant brother Michael
and his parents.
Dennis graduated from Western Michigan University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. He and his wife, Claire, earned their MBA degrees together from Bradley University, graduating in 2003.Â
Dennis retired February 1, 2009 from Caterpillar Inc. after celebrating 35 years of service in September 2008. While at Caterpillar Dennis enjoyed the many lasting friendships he developed with his colleagues.  In addition to relocating within the US several times with the company he also enjoyed traveling and working outside of the US in the UK, France, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Switzerland and Japan.Â
Dennis loved running, earning many medals and trophies as he participated in local road races, four marathons and many half marathons. He ran in the St. Jude Tri County Runs, River to River Relays and was a member of the Illinois Valley Striders.Â
Dennis and Claire enjoyed cycling and took annual cycling excursions to different locations including Scotland, France and Alaska forming lasting relationships with dear friends. Dennis was a member of the Illinois Valley Wheelmen.Â
Dennis loved being a father and a grandfather and his greatest joys came from spending time with family and friends. He loved biking, running and hiking with Claire. He enjoyed golfing with Jason, fishing in Canada with Jamie and watching Jessica play soccer when young. He enjoyed trading childrearing techniques with Jill, watching Christopher pursue his dream of becoming an architect and discussing financial situations with Brandy.Â
Dennis enjoyed playing bridge with his brother Dave, running the Chicago Marathon with his brother Tim and discussing education topics with his sister Kathy. He loved to sail and at one time participated in weekly sailboat races on Lake Decatur. He coached youth soccer in Morton, Illinois for seventeen years while watching his children play.
Dennis had the pleasure of performing the wedding ceremonies for his step-daughter Jill Selimbegovic and her husband Srdan and for his niece Emily Davich and her husband David.Â
Dennis loved family vacations in South Haven, Michigan, attending the annual Blueberry Festival in the summer and returning to the sledding hill in the winter. In 2008 Dennis helped organize a family road trip to Jamestown, Virginia tracing his family’s roots. He was happy that all of his children were able to enjoy the trip with him.Â
In his leisure time Dennis enjoyed golfing and biking with his friends, tutoring in the Mathematics Lab at Illinois Central College, learning Spanish and preparing dogs to help people with disabilities through Paws Giving Independence.
Dennis’ family would like to thank Brad Post for his wonderful counseling help and the OSF Hospice team, including Nurse Tom, for all of their wonderful help keeping Dennis comfortable.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.Â
In lieu of services there will be a celebration of Dennis’ life held at Weaver Ridge on Thursday August 20, 2009 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. Family and friends are invited to attend and sign Dennis’ Memory Journal. The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Co. is assisting the family with arrangements.
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