John Ketter John Frederick Ketter, born in Portsmouth, Ohio, March 27, 1925, passed away on April 29, 2012. His parents were Russell Grimes Stockham and Margaret Wemer Ketter. After graduating from Portsmouth High School in 1943, John entered the Army. Then he was chosen for officer's candidate school. He graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant. Upon the completion of his service, he attended George Williams College receiving a B. S. in Education. He continued his education at The Ohio State University where he earned an M. A. in Education, Recreation, and Sociology. He began his professional career as program director at the YMCA in Warren, Ohio. His career continued as Assistant Dean of Men at The Ohio State University, and then as founding director of the Whetstone Recreation Center of Columbus, Ohio. He returned to Ohio State University as program director of the student union. In 1964, he became program director at the University of Indiana Memorial Student Union in Bloomington. Then, in 1967, he was brought to the University of Northern Iowa to become the director of the Maucker Student Union in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was an honorary member of the Bucket and Dipper, and the Sphinx organizations at OSU. He served as president of the Association of College Unions International. John retired in 1987 and returned to Portsmouth and continued an active life of service as a volunteer, including donating his time at the SOMC print shop. In addition, he served on the advisory committee for the Shawnee State University Student Union, and as president of the OSU Alumni Association of Scioto County. He married his devoted wife of sixty-one years, Karolyn L. Shepherd, at All Saints Episcopal Church, with the Reverend Lawrence Hill officiating. He is survived by his wife and seven children: Melissa Walker (Gary), Elizabeth Tinetti (Rob), Elaine Skoog (William), John Ketter (Terry), Drew Ketter (Joanne), Allison Ketter, and Jason Ketter (Nyana); as well as seventeen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 4, 2012, at F. C. Daehler Mortuary Company, in Portsmouth, with the Reverend Kym James and the Reverend Frank James officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Burial Park. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 6 p.m. until 8 p. m. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Honor Detail of James Dickey Post 23 American Legion. Memorials may be given to George Williams College and The Ohio State Alumni Association.
