Mourners gather at N.J. Todd Funeral Home to celebrate life of Benalla teen Caleb Puttyfoot

The Benalla community has come together to share memories of a popular teen who died tragically after he was hit by a car.

Mourners gathered on Friday to exchange stories and share memories of a selfless, happy, and caring teen who tragically died after he was hit by a car at Benalla in August.

Caleb Puttyfoot’s life was celebrated at a moving funeral service on Friday as family, friends, classmates and colleagues gathered at the N.J. Todd funeral home at 11am, with a mixture of emotions flooding the service.

During the eulogy, Ian Guppy spoke on behalf of Caleb’s family shared a memory of Caleb and his sister Jayde Ramage.

“Caleb came home and told the story of how he wanted to embarrass Jayde at work”, Mr Guppy said.

“So he dressed up in this beautiful red evening gown — it just fitted him perfect — so off to work he went all dressed up.

“Trouble was, Jayde wasn’t rostered on that night — so that sort of blew it all out of the water.”

The Benalla community gathered on Friday September 1 to remember the life of Caleb Puttyfoot.

“He was such an easy guest — if I picked Bailey up from school it meant Bailey and Caleb,” Bailey’s mother Karen said.

She said she was “so blessed” to have Caleb as part of her family.

“I am lost, as I’m sure many of you are, how will we move on from this”, she said.

Family member Brendan said Caleb was such a “beautiful young man”.

“We loved him and we are so proud of the young man he had become.

“Caleb’s gone, but he will never ever be forgotten.”

Caleb, an apprentice as Dosser Panels in Benalla, brought a smile to everyone's face every time he walked through the door. Picture: Supplied

“My favourite thing was just hanging out with him everyday,” friend Bailey said.

The Winton Motor Raceway also honoured Caleb after the service — where the hearse and the immediate family took a lap around the track and a checkered flag waved as the hearse drove past as it made its way to the cemetery.

Friend Megan said knowing Caleb just made her happy and he would have no idea how hard it was to say goodbye.

“See you in the next lifetime my friend,” Megan said.

His former teacher Teagen Vogle said the school would never forget his infectious smile and innocent nature.

The 16-year-old died in hospital days after he was hit by a car on Bridge St West.

“Caleb was one of those young people who had a big impact on me who made my world a better place just by being in it,” Ms Vogle said.

“I remember thinking this kid’s growing up, this kid’s a cracker … his parents would be proud of who he has become.”

“Caleb was a young person everybody liked.

“He was very selfless, he never wanted to be the centre of attention and would always back his mates … he was also protective and caring.”

She said they had formed a fun and positive relationship and she would always remember Caleb screaming out her name during yard duty.

Family and friends gathered at N.J. Todd Funeral Home to honour the life of Benalla teenage Caleb Puttyfoot, who tragically died after he was hit by a car in August. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Mourners wore pink and purple, symbolising how they would always remember him.

Caleb was an apprentice painter and panel beater at Dosser Panels and colleagues told the Herald Sun he had the potential to go “very far”.

“I think this industry was the perfect match for him — he had initiative,” Ms Armstrong said.

Caleb was also given the nickname “Rusty” by the boys at work.

Ms Armstrong said in her eulogy Caleb was always looking to learn something new and always gets the job done.

One of her favourite memories of Caleb was when he hid pickles in one of their workers’ bags.

“You will never be forgotten Rusty, rest in peace and fly high,” Ms Armstrong said.

Family and friends previously placed flowers at the scene of the incident on Bridge St West.