Kenneth (Ken) T. Puto passed away peacefully on May 25th, 2024 surrounded by his wife, Cheri Puto; his children, Thomas, Dawn, and Niki Puto; and granddaughter, Madeline Puto.
Ken grew up in Staunton, Illinois and was raised by his father, Rudy Puto. He gained the nickname “inky” due to needing an incubator after birth and was so small, his father carried him home in a shoe box.
He proudly served his country, stationed in Germany, and liked to share many stories of his time in the service. One of the best was his brother telling him, if you want to be a mechanic, sign up for a cook; and if you want to be a cook, sign up as a mechanic. We are happy to report, he was a mechanic and was lucky to travel around and see a lot of Europe.
After getting married, Ken and Cheri settled down in Affton, Missouri behind Tower Tee Golf Course. Their neighbors became their family and many holidays and high stakes poker games were held around the dining room table. If you wanted to know any of the neighborhood gossip, you would go to Ken, who was also known as, “The Mayor of East Yorkshire.”
Ken was a proud UAW union member and retired after 31 years at Ford motor company.
Our Pops has always been our rock. He raised us that it didn’t matter if you were a boy or a girl, you learned the important things in life: like how to swing a hammer, change a tire, don’t do a job unless you’re gonna do it right, always respect your elders, and when life knocks you down, you get back up again.
In the last few years, you could always catch Ken shouting at a John Wayne movie or tearing up over a Hallmark Movie.
He is preceded in death by his siblings Bob Puto and Betty Calderado; Dad, Rudy Puto; and beloved Aunt Mary Voges.
Ken is survived by his wife, Cheri Puto; his children, Thomas (Sherri) Puto, Dawn Puto, and Niki Puto; grandchildren, Maddie, Breezy, and Seanie; step-grandchildren, Bri and Jimmy; and step-great-grandchildren, Tate and Maren.
SERVICES: Funeral will be at KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL (10151 Gravois Rd 63123) on Tuesday, June 4th at 10:30 AM. Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Visitation on Monday from 4:00 – 8:00 PM.
Oh, Cheri, I am so sorry for your loss of Ken. Hope you are all well.
Kay Thurman