Richard J. Putzler

Richard J. Putzler, 82, of Watervliet, MI passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12:00 P.M. Sunday, September 14, 2014 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Inurnment will be held at a later date at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Memorials may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to share a memory of Richard online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Richard was born September 14, 1931 in South Haven, MI to James & Helen (Sperti) Putzler. He graduated from Morgan Park High School in Chicago, IL. Richard served his country in the United States Army. He met his future wife Gloria Unger in 1954 and they along with David and Deb became a family on September 22, 1956. They were married until Gloria passed away on February 25, 1969. On June 29, 1980 he married Carol Radzinski in Illinois. Richard was a sheet metal worker in Chicago. In his spare time he enjoyed photography, aerial photography, cooking, auto racing and spending time with his family and friends.  Richard is survived by his children Dave Duschean of Blue Island, IL, Deb Veyette of Indianapolis, IN, Donna Bruni of Homewood, IL, Denise (Joe) Drada of Steger, IL, and Tom Putzler of Homewood, IL; stepdaughter Diana (Rodney) Hauck; stepson Adam Radzinski; six grandchildren Eric Duschean, Kyle Putzler, Matthew Putzler, Lucas Hauck, Nathan Hauck and Randy Hauck. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Gloria June, second wife Carol, stepson Edward Radzinski and daughter-in-law Teresa Duschean.