Charlene Ann Putch

ILION – Charlene Ann Putch, age 66, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, February 22, 2019 in St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Utica with the support and comfort of her family at her side.

She was born on August 3, 1952 , in Herkimer , a daughter of Shirley (Furcha) Ab e l ine and the late Charles A. Abeline.  A lifelong area resident, she attended Herkimer E lementary S chool.  The family then moved to Ilion where she graduated h igh s chool with the class of 1970.   She later continued her education at Herkimer County Community College , graduating with an Associate Degree.

On September 20, 19 75 , she married James J . Putch in St. Joseph C h urch, Herkimer.  Her working career started at MDS. When they closed , she went to work for Herkimer County Trust Company in the Marketing Department .  Her last employment was with Con-Med in Utica in the Corporate Contracts Department , retiring in 2015.

Char's talented creativity was apparent in the knitted and crocheted items that she lovingly created for her family through the years.

Char was a true friend.  When you met her you had the feeling you were the most important person in her life .  She would listen, lend a helping hand when needed, always knowing the right thing to do say or do.  She will be greatly missed. Her smile and twinkle in her eyes will live in in our hearts forever.

Surviving are her loving husband of forty-three years James , her mother , Shirley of Clinton, two sisters, Judith McGrellis and her husband Kevin of Ilion, Teresa Carden and her husband Gary of Stittville, sister in law Mary and her husband Frank Tamburrino of East Herkimer.  She is also survived by eleven cherished nieces and one nephew, several grand-nieces and nephews, and cousins.  She leaves her long time best friend Carol Okusko .

The funeral service will be held at Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer, on Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm. Interment in Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer will be later this spring at the convenience of the family. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 4:00 until 7:00 pm.

Memorial D onation may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 381059959 Envelopes will be ava ilable at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank the staff of the ICU and SCU at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center for the outstanding care and love shown to Char.