Paul Russell Puntenney

Paul Russell Puntenney, 66, died Wednesday, October 2 at St. Vincent Hospice in Indianapolis after a brief battle with lung cancer.

He is predeceased by his parents, Harold Russell Puntenney and V. Eileen Puntenney, and he leaves behind his fiancé, Mary Hogsett-Owens; his sons, Brock and Russell Puntenney; his sister Paula Puntenney; two grandchildren; and many close friends.

Paul was a proud, lifelong Hoosier; a devoted father, brother, and companion; and a skilled musician.

Born and raised in Carmel, Paul graduated from Carmel High School in 1971 and attended Taylor University shortly thereafter. He worked at Roche Diagnostics in Indianapolis for over 20 years, during which time he also secured an M.B.A. from Butler University and raised a loving family with his ex-wife, Kathileen Puntenney, in Noblesville.

His greatest passion in life was music, which he used to provide joy for both himself and those who knew him throughout his life. Though he played several instruments across multiple genres, he was best known for his expertise with the pedal steel guitar, and for his performances at Refugee Christian Church (where he also served as an elder) and Grace Church, both in Noblesville. As a younger man, he was also a member of Huizinga, the Chappelaires, and Chooch & The Enchanters, and he often reminisced about those experiences with admiration, love, and pride.

He appreciated listening to music as much as he did creating it, however, and was a staunch supporter of Deer Creek Music Center (now Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center) when the project faced local opposition before opening in 1989. He loved attending concerts at the venue from its earliest days on (most often featuring his favorite band, The Grateful Dead), and loved living close enough to the facility to host friends and family whenever they’d visit for a show.

Throughout his life, Paul was also an avid fan and legitimate historian of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Later in life, he became a part-time host at the IMS Museum, where he provided track tours and entertained visitors from all over the world, putting the lifetime of Speedway knowledge he’d acquired to its best possible use. He attended the Indianapolis 500 regularly throughout his life and loved to share his experiences with anyone he met.

In his final days, Paul was fortunate enough to reflect on his life and conclude he had no regrets. His passion and enthusiasm were a constant source of inspiration to those who knew him, and it’s because of this he felt satisfied with everything he’d accomplished, and blessed to have touched so many lives. He died grateful to have met so many wonderful people and created so many cherished memories, and he leaves his friends and family grateful to have spent the time with him they did. He will be sorely missed.

Viewing will take place Tuesday, October 8, 2019 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm; funeral service will take place on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Both services will be held in the Harry W. Moore Chapel at the Indiana Funeral Care in Indianapolis. A brief burial service will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Flowers may be sent to Indiana Funeral Care, however the family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either of the following organizations:

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, 4750 W. 116th St,Indianapolis, IN 46222. Donations can be made online at indyracingmuseum.org. For more information please contact Jennifer Hiatt, Director of Philanthropy and Membership at 317-492-6563; or to Grace Church, 5504 E 146th St, Noblesville, IN 46062 - 317-848-2722. Donations can be made online at gracechurch.us. For help please contact janeld@gracechurch.us.