Dean F. Putt

Dean F. Putt, 87, of Friendship Village, passed away unexpectedly at home on Saturday, June 4, 2022.  He was born in Saxton, PA on February 3, 1935, the oldest child of George and Blanche (Dolt) Putt.  He is survived by his wife Marlene.  His death ended sixty-six years of marriage.  Also surviving are a son Dean L. married to Cathy, a daughter Susan Prescott married to Wayne, grandchildren Dr. Allison Latshaw, Dr. Andrew Putt, Will and Sammy Prescott, great grandchildren Allan and Bailey Latshaw, sisters Ruth Figard and Irene Sprowl.  

He was preceded in death by his sister Shirley and a brother Eugene.

Dean was born in Saxton near the power plant.  He moved to a house near the train station at the age of two. With living so near the station he traveled by train to the Huntingdon County Fair and to Everett to visit relatives.  Grandma Dolt lived in Dudley, and he would ride with the mailman to visit her.  While there he helped her with chores and often walked down Dudley hill to bring groceries home for her.

During his teenage years he worked at the bowling alley, delivered newspapers, and at age sixteen in 1951, he began working at Benner’s Pop Shop in Saxton at the wage of $.75 cents an hour.  During the summer of 1952, he worked for Howard Johnson’s at the Midway on the turnpike.  He stayed in Bedford all week and took a taxi to work, working night shift 12-8, and paid $5.00 for his lodging.

He bought his first gun at the age of sixteen, a .22 rifle.

At the age of 17, Dean began working for Bill Putt at the Fiberglass Plant in Huntingdon during the summer for $2.25 an hour.  During his senior year of high school he worked evenings at the pop shop and continued to work there after graduation.

In his senior year in high school he met Marlene Black; she was the “little red haired girl” from the mountain.  His best friend while growing up was Ozzie Morningstar.  They spent lots of time hunting, fishing, and swimming.

After graduation he received a job with American Bridge Company in Ambridge.  He began working there in September 1953.  While working in Ambridge he came home on weekends; the turnpike toll from Bedford to Warrendale was about $1.25.

He married his high school sweetheart on August 15, 1955.  They lived in various places from 1955-1960 because he was often off work because of steel strikes.

In 1960 they moved to Round Knob and he continued to work in Ambridge, coming home on weekends.  In 1967 he made a career change to go to work for New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.  He was hired as a certified welder for bridge construction and spent many years working away from home, coming home on weekends until his retirement in 1997 after thirty years of service.  He often pointed out bridges that he assisted in building throughout Pennsylvania.

He and Marlene bought a travel trailer in 1995 and enjoyed spending lots of time in Myrtle Beach, SC, while also traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, New England, the Rocky Mountains and other places. They took their grandchildren on many camping trips, and he taught them all to fish.

Dean had back surgery in 2006, causing him to be partially disabled.  This physical disability made it difficult to maintain their home in Round Knob, so he sold the house and moved to Friendship Village in Bedford.

The best part of moving to Bedford was the opportunity to be close to and more involved with grandsons Will and Sam.  He assisted them with their scout projects, making boats, cars, and rockets, and helping them with various other projects, along with attending church together and school events.

He enjoyed living at Friendship Village, meeting new friends, attending church, being close to town and not having the responsibilities that he had while living at the big house in Round Knob.  He could spend his time resting, reading, watching football games, old western movies, especially John Wayne, and taking afternoon naps.

He was a member of the Round Knob Church of God but had been attending the Missional Church at Friendship Village.

Dean enjoyed hunting, traveling, camping, but most of all spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Burial was held privately at Duvall Cemetery.

The family is planning a private celebration of life service that will be held in July.

Arrangements by Akers Funeral Home, Inc., 299 Raystown Road, Everett, PA 15537.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.akersfuneralhome.com

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