Ralph W. Putnam Jr., age 52, of Hale passed away Friday, March 5, 2010, at his home. He was born on Sept. 10, 1957, in Pontiac to Ralph and Gertrude (Cooper) Putnam. He moved to the Hale area in 1974 and graduated from Hale Area High School in 1975. He attended Alpena Community College and Ferris State University, where he earned an associates degree in criminology. Ralph married Marcy Humphrey on Aug. 15, 1981, in the Hale First United Methodist Church. They lived in Baggs, Wyo., from 1982 to 1986, where he worked as a police officer. While there, he coached JV girls basketball at Snake River High School.In 1986, Ralph and Marcy moved back to Hale, where he became a collection officer for Farmers and Merchants State Bank. He worked for North Bank and then Independent Bank in Hale as a loan officer, branch manager and finally as the assistant vice-president. He worked at the bank for a total of 24 years. He coached JV and varsity boys basketball, soccer, Little League, worked the chains at Hale football games and was the announcer for the JV and varsity boys basketball games. He helped start the Saturday basketball program for fourth through sixth grades.Ralph was a member of Hale First United Methodist Church and served on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee and as a member of the choir. He had been a guest speaker at the Rifle River Youth Church Camp and had served as a counselor at Lake Louise Camp. He was a member of the Hale Area Lions Club and worked on the annual "Walk to Bethlehem." He had been both a Cubmaster and Scoutmaster and, during his scouting leadership, six young men became Eagle Scouts. He was a member of the "Hale Show Choir" for 10 years.Ralph is survived by his wife, Marcy of Hale; sons, Joshua and Zachary of Hale; sister, Sharon (David) Fredrickson; brothers, Calvin, Gerald "Tiny" and Chris (Barbie) Putnam; father and mother-in-law, Dale and Margaret Humphrey; brother-in-law, Tom (Karen) Humphrey; sister-in-law, Melissa (Brian) Thomson; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Gertrude Putnam; daughter, Christa; brother, Edward Putnam; sister, Barbara Little; and sister-in-law, Cindy Humphrey. Visitation was held on Monday, March 8, and Tuesday, March 9, from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Hale chapel of Buresh-Bennett Funeral Home 121 S. Washington. Services will be held today (Wednesday) at 2 p.m. at Hale First United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Stewart officiating. Interment will be in Esmond-Evergreen Ceme­tery in Hale. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hale First United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund or to the Hale Area Schools Music Department. Those wishing to express their condolences may do so at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.