Bruce G Putnam

July 13, 1938 - April 23, 2022

Bruce G. Putnam, age 83, of Neebish Island, Michigan, passed into Glory on April 23rd, 2022. Bruce was born July 13, 1938, in South Branch, Plainfield Township, Iosco County, Michigan, the son of Francis Floyd Putnam and Goldie (Guilford) Putnam. After graduating from Hale Michigan High School in 1957 and serving in the United States Army, Bruce went on to work a variety of jobs including construction, working in a bicycle factory, as a miner in Michigan and Minnesota, owning and operating a fence company and a cab company and farming—which led to his greatest love…old tractors. With a God-given love for the understanding of mechanics, and many tractors trailed behind him down his driveway following countless auction sales; and always an extra for parts "don'tchaknow". Moving lock stock and tractors to Neebish Island permanently in 2005, Bruce once again established himself as a fixer of tractors, motors and vehicles basically of vintage years and added living "off the grid" to his vast personal book of knowledge. Bruce is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Sandi Putnam Pemberton Sobczak; step-children, Gretchen Pemberton (Richard), Gregory Freiberg, Jennifer Veenstra, Joel Freiberg (Amy Reda Freiberg), Dan Slater (Brenda) and Lori Slater Lutter; grandsons, Jeremiah Pemberton (Sara), Andrew Pemberton (Melissa); and several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; and sister, Gwendolyn Ford. Bruce is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, DeLaine, Devere, Gerald and Gaius; and stepson, Edwin Slater. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Neebish Island Presbyterian Church at 12 noon, June 12, 2022, with Dr. Donald L. Totten officiating the service. There will be a Potluck Dinner following the service as requested by Bruce. Galer Funeral Homes & Cremation, of Pickford, Michigan, is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.