Vernon was a very special person. He was ready to help anyone at any time. We loved taking him out for breakfast! We enjoyed visiting with Vernon and Precious. Lovely man! So sorry for your loss, John and Carol Oglesby
It was our privilege to live across the street from Vern for the past 20 years.. A kinder more gentle man can not be found.. We will miss him dearly.
Jim & Katherine Sharp
He was a wonderful man. My family liked to refer to him as the Mayor of Clear Creek because everyone knew him. So friendly and always there to lend a helping hand. He will be missed.
Vernon and Freda lived 2 doors down from my Mom and Dad. Freda brought food down for them when my Mom was dying from lung cancer. Lovely lady. Vernon was always so friendly and he was faithful on walking Precious several times a day. Now we live in Clear Creek and we will truly miss talking to him.
Vernon and I would sit on the patio while Precious would check out the back yard and talk about about a little of everything going on in the neighborhood. I would occasionally go to his house and repair things that needed attention. Vernon will be missed!
Vernon and I would sit on the patio and talk about what was going on at home and he would ask how my mom was doing. He knew my mom and stepdad well. I would occasionally go to his house and repair items that needed attention and we would sit and talk about his times on the railroad and his vacations he took. I will miss his talks and the visits with Precious. Vernon will be missed.
I am so so saddened to hear of Vernon’s passing. He and Precious were the highlight of my Tuesday Meals on Wheels route. Vernon always had a smile, and a “Thank you” . He had a way of always making someone feel like he really did care when he asked “How are you?” I will miss him, and am glad I had the opportunity to know him.
To his family, your father was an example of how to age gracefully. It was obvious by all the photos in his home how much he loved all of you. May he Rest In Peace.
Vernon and Freda were the sweetest people. Vernon walking Precious stopping to talk and offering help. Vernon would bring the newspaper and place on my mother in laws porch every morning for her . Vernon will be greatly missed by all who knew him Love Sherri , Dennis and Dorothy Rice .
Vernon was a great man and will be missed very much. Living just a few doors down from him for the last several years I have had the privilege of getting to know him. He never had a mean word to say about anyone and was always ready to help. He would always bring a tool you needed for a project, or provide some advice about work or relationships to get you by. I will never be able to look at his house without thinking about the great friend and neighbor we have lost. Here are a couple of my favorite memories.
One morning I went outside to find that my car washing brush had left during the night. I spoke with Vernon about it, and we agreed that it was likely some kids during the night. Some time later he brought me his brush because he thought I needed it more than he did. He reassured me that he had not used it in quite some time. Later that day on his walk he actually found my brush. He was always looking out for you and willing to give what he had.
After I moved in I had quite a few rocks in my landscaping. I had decided that I was going to do something different and was moving the rocks to the back yard out of the way. Vernon had stopped to talk and decided that he would like to have some. I told him he could take whatever he wanted. I had figured that he would take a few smaller ones. The next day I came home to find he had probably moved 500-600 lbs of rocks that day. Over that week he probably moved over 1000 lbs of rocks to his house. While I was happy to have him take them I’m still not sure how he did it. He was a very determined and hard worker. I believe that he passed some of those qualities on to me and the others he has influenced.
Kevin. So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I always enjoyed talking about your dad at TMMI. Please let me know if you need anything. Rhonda (Rhondar)
Bob and Janet Putnam
Bob, II am so sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved brother, Vernon.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Sincerely Pam Brown
I have missed Mr Putnam for the last month. I met Mr. Putnam at Schnucks and we just started talking. I am so sorry. Our last conversation was about toilet paper. He was telling me by the time he got to store, told him I would get for him. I still have it in my care. Prayers to his family. Dolly
I never had the opportunity to meet or know Mr. Putnam; nor did I know his name. However he had to be the most friendly and kind person, always offering a wave while frequently out walking his dog. I will miss seeing him in the neighborhood. My sympathies some months late to his family.
Vernon Lee Putnam, 85, passed away on April 30, 2020. He was born on June 23, 1934 to Daniel Clifton and Gracie Mae Putnam in Island, Kentucky.
Vernon grew up in Evansville and attended Howard Roose Elementary School. He was a 1954 graduate of Bosse High. Vernon retired from CSX railroad in 1996. He was a switchman for the railroad for several years. Vernon also enjoyed flipping houses in his spare time. In 1963, he married the love of his life Freda and raised their two sons on a small farm outside of Lynnville. Vernon loved spending time with his family and friends. Many people knew him as “The Mayor of Clear Creek.” He loved walking his dog Precious and talking to everyone he knew in the neighborhood.
Vernon is survived by his children Darlene (Dan) LaMaster, Tim (Sara) Putnam and Kevin (Jenny) Putnam; his grandchildren Jessie (Jacob), Megan, Olivia, Hannah, Kyle, and Kody; his great-grandchildren Brady, Amelia, Zoey and Brantley; and his siblings Bobby (Jan) Putnam, Linda (Mark) Cline, and Ann (Danny) Wilson.
Vernon was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years Freda Putnam; his parents; and his siblings Minnie Glynn, Jesse Putnam, James Putnam, and Allen Putnam.
A graveside service will be at the Lakeside Pavilion at Sunset Memorial Park on Saturday May 2nd at 12 p.m. Family and friends can visit from 11 a.m. until time of service. You can attend visitation using social distancing or with a drive through visitation option. Drive through visitation will be accomplished by cars driving past our Lakeside Pavilion where the family will be standing to accept your condolences. Live streaming will also be available. Please contact Sunset Funeral Home for more information.
Condolences(14)-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Previous Donald Eugene Riggle
Next Robert Dale Johns
- CURRENT SERVICES
- SEND FLOWERS
- HOURS
- DIRECTIONS
- CONTACT US
Plan For the Future - Preplan your services

Immediate Need - A death has occurred or is near
Call Us Now. Click Here
John and Carol Oglesby says
May 1, 2020 at 2:59 pmVernon was a very special person. He was ready to help anyone at any time. We loved taking him out for breakfast! We enjoyed visiting with Vernon and Precious. Lovely man! So sorry for your loss, John and Carol Oglesby
Jim & Katherine Sharp says
May 2, 2020 at 3:33 pmIt was our privilege to live across the street from Vern for the past 20 years.. A kinder more gentle man can not be found.. We will miss him dearly.
Jim & Katherine Sharp
The Slown’s says
May 1, 2020 at 5:20 pmHe was a wonderful man. My family liked to refer to him as the Mayor of Clear Creek because everyone knew him. So friendly and always there to lend a helping hand. He will be missed.
Rod and Chris says
May 2, 2020 at 2:17 amVernon and Freda lived 2 doors down from my Mom and Dad. Freda brought food down for them when my Mom was dying from lung cancer. Lovely lady. Vernon was always so friendly and he was faithful on walking Precious several times a day. Now we live in Clear Creek and we will truly miss talking to him.
Vernon Hunt says
May 2, 2020 at 12:29 pmVernon and I would sit on the patio while Precious would check out the back yard and talk about about a little of everything going on in the neighborhood. I would occasionally go to his house and repair things that needed attention. Vernon will be missed!
Vernon Hunt says
May 2, 2020 at 12:43 pmVernon and I would sit on the patio and talk about what was going on at home and he would ask how my mom was doing. He knew my mom and stepdad well. I would occasionally go to his house and repair items that needed attention and we would sit and talk about his times on the railroad and his vacations he took. I will miss his talks and the visits with Precious. Vernon will be missed.
C.A. Neisen says
May 2, 2020 at 1:55 pmI am so so saddened to hear of Vernon’s passing. He and Precious were the highlight of my Tuesday Meals on Wheels route. Vernon always had a smile, and a “Thank you” . He had a way of always making someone feel like he really did care when he asked “How are you?” I will miss him, and am glad I had the opportunity to know him.
To his family, your father was an example of how to age gracefully. It was obvious by all the photos in his home how much he loved all of you. May he Rest In Peace.
Sherri Rice says
May 2, 2020 at 2:02 pmVernon and Freda were the sweetest people. Vernon walking Precious stopping to talk and offering help. Vernon would bring the newspaper and place on my mother in laws porch every morning for her . Vernon will be greatly missed by all who knew him Love Sherri , Dennis and Dorothy Rice .
Vaughn Ahlf says
May 2, 2020 at 4:47 pmVernon was a great man and will be missed very much. Living just a few doors down from him for the last several years I have had the privilege of getting to know him. He never had a mean word to say about anyone and was always ready to help. He would always bring a tool you needed for a project, or provide some advice about work or relationships to get you by. I will never be able to look at his house without thinking about the great friend and neighbor we have lost. Here are a couple of my favorite memories.
One morning I went outside to find that my car washing brush had left during the night. I spoke with Vernon about it, and we agreed that it was likely some kids during the night. Some time later he brought me his brush because he thought I needed it more than he did. He reassured me that he had not used it in quite some time. Later that day on his walk he actually found my brush. He was always looking out for you and willing to give what he had.
After I moved in I had quite a few rocks in my landscaping. I had decided that I was going to do something different and was moving the rocks to the back yard out of the way. Vernon had stopped to talk and decided that he would like to have some. I told him he could take whatever he wanted. I had figured that he would take a few smaller ones. The next day I came home to find he had probably moved 500-600 lbs of rocks that day. Over that week he probably moved over 1000 lbs of rocks to his house. While I was happy to have him take them I’m still not sure how he did it. He was a very determined and hard worker. I believe that he passed some of those qualities on to me and the others he has influenced.
Rhonda Bigler says
May 3, 2020 at 12:37 amKevin. So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I always enjoyed talking about your dad at TMMI. Please let me know if you need anything. Rhonda (Rhondar)
Pamela Brown says
May 3, 2020 at 4:53 pmBob and Janet Putnam
Bob, II am so sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved brother, Vernon.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Sincerely Pam Brown
Mitchel Pickerill says
May 4, 2020 at 11:36 pmKyle and Putnam family, so sorry for your loss. Know he is at peace.
Elnora Waller says
May 11, 2020 at 12:49 pmI have missed Mr Putnam for the last month. I met Mr. Putnam at Schnucks and we just started talking. I am so sorry. Our last conversation was about toilet paper. He was telling me by the time he got to store, told him I would get for him. I still have it in my care. Prayers to his family. Dolly
Kristen Toone says
November 22, 2020 at 3:56 amI never had the opportunity to meet or know Mr. Putnam; nor did I know his name. However he had to be the most friendly and kind person, always offering a wave while frequently out walking his dog. I will miss seeing him in the neighborhood. My sympathies some months late to his family.
Vernon Lee Putnam, 85, passed away on April 30, 2020. He was born on June 23, 1934 to Daniel Clifton and Gracie Mae Putnam in Island, Kentucky.
Vernon grew up in Evansville and attended Howard Roose Elementary School. He was a 1954 graduate of Bosse High. Vernon retired from CSX railroad in 1996. He was a switchman for the railroad for several years. Vernon also enjoyed flipping houses in his spare time. In 1963, he married the love of his life Freda and raised their two sons on a small farm outside of Lynnville. Vernon loved spending time with his family and friends. Many people knew him as “The Mayor of Clear Creek.” He loved walking his dog Precious and talking to everyone he knew in the neighborhood.
Vernon is survived by his children Darlene (Dan) LaMaster, Tim (Sara) Putnam and Kevin (Jenny) Putnam; his grandchildren Jessie (Jacob), Megan, Olivia, Hannah, Kyle, and Kody; his great-grandchildren Brady, Amelia, Zoey and Brantley; and his siblings Bobby (Jan) Putnam, Linda (Mark) Cline, and Ann (Danny) Wilson.
Vernon was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years Freda Putnam; his parents; and his siblings Minnie Glynn, Jesse Putnam, James Putnam, and Allen Putnam.
A graveside service will be at the Lakeside Pavilion at Sunset Memorial Park on Saturday May 2nd at 12 p.m. Family and friends can visit from 11 a.m. until time of service. You can attend visitation using social distancing or with a drive through visitation option. Drive through visitation will be accomplished by cars driving past our Lakeside Pavilion where the family will be standing to accept your condolences. Live streaming will also be available. Please contact Sunset Funeral Home for more information.
© Copyright 2023 Sunset Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Cemetery | 1800 Saint George Rd | Evansville, IN 47711 | (812) 477-5316
Protect the People You Love.
Complete the form below, and an Advanced Funeral Planning Advisor will contact you as soon as possible.
If you have an immediate need, please call us right away at (812) 477-5316
We will also make arrangements to provide you with our free planning guide.
Please call us right away. Our staff is available 24/7 to care for your family.
Call us at (812) 477-5316
If you prefer, add your contact information below, and we will call you during our normal office hours.