Mary Frances (Craigo) Puterbaugh

Mary C. Puterbaugh, age 99 of Elwood, passed away peacefully at Miller’s Merry Manor in Tipton on Monday, December 17, 2018 following a long, full life.

She was born on August 30, 1919 in Fayette County, WV, the daughter of Cecil E. and Fantine “Fannie” (Godbey) Craigo.

Mary was a school teacher all of her career, and she was in the first group of teachers to work in the Oakland School Building in Elwood. She taught several elementary grades, but was best known as a first grade teacher at Oakland School for 47 years before her retirement in 1980. Mary graduated from Clay County High School in Widen, WV at the age of 16 and later attended college and received her Bachelor’s degree from Marshall University in West Virginia. She received her Master’s degree in teaching from Ball State Teachers College in Muncie. During WWII, Mary proudly worked in welding for ships to support the war effort at that time. Mary married Jacob Walter Puterbaugh on June 28, 1948, and they shared over 40 years of marriage together before his passing in 1989.

Mary was very active all of her life and had a great attitude about her age. She was a member of East Main Street Christian Church in Elwood; active in the Elwood Elks Lodge with the Lady Elks group and “Over 90” group; and member of the Heartland Patchwork Quilt Club. As a devoted mother, she was active in the P.T.A. and as a band mother and den mother. She traveled extensively all her life, and formerly enjoyed camping. She was a member and past president of the Indiana State Campers Association and a member of the Clinton County Campers Club. She especially enjoyed sewing, making clothes, crocheting, knitting, reading, and loved to work crossword puzzles. Her zest for life was remarkable, and she had an amazing ability to remember former students and their names. Mary will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Mary’s family legacy includes 3 children, Lynn (husband Marty) Updegraff of Richlands, NC, Carol Moore (Bob Hartley) of Elwood, and Jay Puterbaugh of Elwood; 5 grandchildren, Daniel (wife Tammy) Updegraff, Jesse (wife Raianna) Garrett, Stacie (husband Jack) Price, Scott (wife Darla Hartley), and Lynlie (husband Cody) Adair; sister, Marjorie Young of Whitewater, WI; extended family, Flora and Dallas Walker of Elwood; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jacob Puterbaugh; son, Jack Puterbaugh in 1987; brother, Cecil Craigo; 2 sisters, Nina Brownson and Martha Fauber; and 2 infant grandchildren, Jacob Walter Puterbaugh and Laura Elaine Updegraff.

A funeral service celebrating Mary’s life will be conducted December 21, 2018 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Roger Gardner of East Main Street Christian Church officiating. Burial will take place privately at Sunset Memorial Park in Elwood.

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