Richard Lane Putnel of Lake Alfred, Fla., passed away after a brief illness at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale, Fla., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.
Putnel was born in Suwannee County on Sept. 29, 1943, to Sidney and Ruby Vera (Tucker) Putnel of Live Oak. After graduating high school from Fort Meade, Fla., the family moved back to Live Oak, at which time Putnel joined the Army in 1963. While in the Army, he was stationed in Korea for 11 months and served his country for three years. After the military, Putnel worked for 26 years in law enforcement, ending his career as a sergeant investigator for the Polk County Sheriff's Office in 1998. Putnel then worked for Publix Supermarket in Lakeland for 19 years before retiring.
Putnel enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time with his family and was of the Baptist faith.
Putnel was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister Marguerite Money of Lakeland, Fla. and brother Samuel Putnel of Lake City, Fla. Putnel is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Janet Ruth (Thornton) Putnel of Lake Alfred, Fla.; son, Thomas Kelly Putnel of Live Oak; daughter, Resi Delaine "Dee" (Shaun) Freeman of Live Oak; son, Richard Lane (Kellie) Putnel Jr. of Canton, Ga. and son, Robert Andrew (Rachel) Putnel of St. Johns, Fla.; three brothers, William Putnel of Mayo, Fla., Raymond Putnel of Lake City, Fla. and Wesley Putnel of Live Oak, Fla.; 10 grand-children: Richard Tyler Putnel, Morgan Kellie Putnel, Holland Drew Freeman, Mikayla Marie Putnel, Hayley Ember Freeman, Riley Lane Putnel, Robert Corwin Putnel, Evie Eileen Putnel, Hayden Andrew Putnel and Camille Louise Putnel; two great-grandchildren, Byron Karter Putnel and Ava Rose Putnel and a host of close nieces, nephews and family friends.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, Jan. 22, that will begin at 11 a.m. and will be held at Clayland Baptist Church, located at 11409 193rd Rd., in Live Oak.