Wilma Jean (Fletcher) Putnak (1928 - 1992)

Born 10 Jul 1928 in Charleroi, Washington, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Died 7 Jan 1992 at age 63 in Charleroi, Washington, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Wilma was born in 1928. She was the daughter of Wilbur Fletcher and Mary Barlow.

She graduated from Charleroi High School in 1946 and attended Compton Junior College in 1949. She was on Compton's swimming team.

Wilma was an accomplished gymnast and swimmer. She was an Olympic gymnastic team hopeful in 1948 and 1956. During the 1950s, Wilma appeared in aquatic shows in Miami Beach and on tour. From 1985 to 1991 she was the assistant swimming team coach at Charleroi High School.

The board also ... Named Wilma J. Putnak assistant girls swimming coach.

She married john Bernard Putnak in 1962.

Mrs. Mary Fletcher of 701 Fifth St., Charleroi, announced the engagement of her daughter, Wilma Jean, to Jack Putnak. He is the son of Mrs. Joseph Putnak Sr. of Monongahela R. D. 2. The bride-elect is a graduate of Charleroi High School, class of 1946 and of Compton Junior College Compton, Calif. Her fiancé was graduated from Monessen High School with the class of 1946 and is presently operating Putnak Packing Co. in Monongahela. Wedding plans are indefinite.

Having returned from a honeymoon trip to New York City, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Putnak are now residing in their new apartment at 701 Fifth Street, Charleroi. Mrs. Putnak is the former Wilma Jean Fletcher, daughter Mrs. Mary Fletcher of Charleroi. and the late Wilbur Fletcher. The groom is the son of Mrs. Mary Putnak of Ginger Hill, RD2, Mongahela, and the late Joseph. Putnak, Sr. He is affiliated with the Putnak Packing Company. The couple exchanged vows at a ceremony in the Mother of Sorrows R. C. Church in Charleroi. The Rev. John J. Thomas was the celebrant. For her wedding, the bride had selected a street-length gown of white sattin brocade, fashioned with a fitted bodice and a bell-shaped skirt. Her shoulder length veil was held in place by a tiara of pearls and teardrops. She carried a white Prayer Book, a gift of Father Thomas, covered with white satin and arranged with a white orchid. Her jewelrv was a single strand of pearls and matching earrings, gifts of the groom. She was given marriage by Edward Paluso, Sr. of Maple View, a friend of the family. As matron honor, Mrs. Edward Paluso, Jr., of Charleroi, wore a street-length gown of kelly green satin. She carried a colonial bouquet of white carnation. A brother of the groom, Robert Putnak, was best man and ushers were Paul Neidermeyer and Paul Del Vitto, New Eagle. A wedding luncheon was served at the Wellington Hotel in Charleroi. Later, a buffet luncheon was served at the Fletcher home. The bride was graduated in 1946 from Charleroi High School and from Compton Junior College, California, in 1949. She is also a graduate of the National Aquatic School, Catalina Island, California. Her husband was graduated from Monongahela High School with the class of 1946, and attended the University of Pittsburgh.

Wilma and John had one child.

1. John William Putnak, b. 1965.

She passed away in 1992.

Wilma Jean Putnak, 53, Charleroi, former professional athlete, on Jan. 7.

Charleroi Area High swimmers had to mourn the death of their personable assistant coach Wilma Putnak. Although Putnak is gone from … she won’t be forgotten. A memorial fund is being established in her name with proceeds going to a school swimming record board for next year. "We feel it’s a great way to honor her" said Laura Jane Amodei who’s been the Lady Cougars’ head swim coach for 11 years. "She always fussed about us not having a record". Those interested in donating should send a check or cash to Charleroi Area High to the Putnak Fund in care of Amodei.

Sources

• "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHC9-13S : accessed 2 September 2018), Wilma Fletcher in household of Wilbur Fletcher, Charleroi, Washington, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 36, sheet 4A, line 28, family 78, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2161; FHL microfilm 2,341,895.
• "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQ7N-9CY : accessed 2 September 2018), Wilma Jean Fletcher in household of Wilbur Fletcher, Charleroi Borough, Washington, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 63-42, sheet 18A, line 30, family 379, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 3621.
• "United States 1950 Census", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XB5-Z3JH : Fri Jul 28 03:55:18 UTC 2023), Wilma J FLetcher in entry for Mary R Fletcher and John W Fletcher, 14 April 1950.
• "Wilma Fletcher Bride-elect of Jack Putnak". The Valley Independent (Monessen, PA), July 31, 1961, p. 6.
• "John Putnak Weds Wilma Fletcher." The Daily Republican (Monongahela, PA), December 11, 1962, p. 5.
• "Lozosky Gets Charleroi Area Duties". The Valley Independent (Monessen PA), November 26, 1985, pp. 1-2.
• "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J2MV-3N5 : 20 May 2014), Wilma J Putnak, Jan 1992; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
• "Obituaries. Wilma Jean Putnak." Pittsburgh Press, January 19, 1992, p. W4.
• "Here and There. Putnak Memorial". The Valley Independent (Monessen, PA), February 1, 1992.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 24 January 2021), memorial page for Wilma Jean Fletcher Putnak (10 Jul 1928–7 Jan 1992), Find a Grave Memorial no. 161189871, citing Mon Valley Memorial Park, Donora, Washington County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Kathi Lynn King (contributor 47574305). Includes photo of gravestone.