Helen Putz

Helen Putz, 91, of Ellisville, Mo., died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002, at Bethesda Meadows in Ellisville.

She was born Sept. 11, 1911, at Millersville, daughter of James Franklin and Lydia Christina Schlueter Caldwell. She and Robert Benjamin Putz were married June 10, 1936. He died Nov. 3, 1986.

Putz received a teaching certificate from Southeast Missouri State University, and began teaching at Mountain View, Mo. She earned a bachelor of science degree in education in 1961 and a master's degree in education in 1965, both from Washington University in St. Louis.

She taught kindergarten and sixth grade 17 years at Bel-Ridge Elementary School in Bel-Nor, Mo.

Putz was raised in Jackson. She moved to St. Louis in 1942 and to Berkeley, Mo., in 1950.

She was a member of West Presbyterian Church in St. Louis and First Presbyterian Church in Ferguson, Mo. She was a member and past worthy matron of Jackson Chapter 91 Order of Eastern Star, and past president of Margaret A.E. McClure Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy in St. Louis.

Putz was a secretary of Berkeley Park Board, and served 10 years as director of the Ferguson Partnership Vacation Church School.

Survivors include two sons, Robert Putz of Manchester, Mo., John Putz of Alma, Mich.; and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters.

Friends may call at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson after 11 a.m. Friday.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with Dr. Grant F.C. Gillard officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery at Jackson.