Willard L. “Bill” Ketner, 91, of Avon Park, Fla., formerly of Terre Haute and West Terre Haute, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at the Palms of Sebring, Fla. Bill was born in West Terre Haute, in 1919, son of Mary and John Ketner. He was a 1937 graduate of Valley High School in West Terre Haute. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, in 1944. He married Alice Mildred Buchanan in 1940. Bill began his career as a shipping clerk at Visking Corporation in 1945, and was soon appointed personnel manager. He continued to advance through the ranks after Visking was purchased by Union Carbide Corporation and was transferred to Chicago as employee relations manager, Films Packaging Division in 1959. He retired from Union Carbide Corporation, in Chicago, in 1984 after 39 years service.
He pastored two churches, New Hope Baptist Church in Clay City, and 1st Prairie Creek Baptist Church in Prairie Creek, prior to his relocation to the Chicago area. His activities and contributions were varied and many. During his residency in Terre Haute he was active in the Terre Haute Jaycees and in various community projects and fund raising events for the Jaycees. He was one of the organizers of the Midwest College Basketball Tournament held for many years at what was then known as Indiana State Teachers College. He was a member of the Terre Haute Personnel Club and the Vigo County School Board. He officiated high school and college basketball throughout the State of Indiana, and recruited for college programs throughout the Vigo County area. In 1983, Bill was appointed Honorary Mayor of Kentland. He was honored by Indiana Gov. Bob Orr and presented the title of Sagamore of the Wabash on Feb. 7, 1984. Pete Chalos, mayor of Terre Haute, proclaimed May 21, 1987 as W.L. (Bill) Ketner Day for his contributions to the community. Rose Hulman Institute acknowledged him for 40 years of contribution in athletics, financial aid and placement. He served on the Board of Trustees of Taylor University in Upland from 1968-1978, and was honored in 1983 for outstanding training programs provided to business and accounting students for two decades. Purdue University’s Placement Office honored him for his assistance in placement of graduates from 1945-1984.
Other honors bestowed on Bill were: receipt of key to the City of Centerville, Iowa, in 1964; the Arkansas Traveler by Gov, Winthrop Rockefeller in 1970; recognized by University of Arkansas as a Distinguished Friend of the University in 1970; commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Kentucky Gov. Julian M. Carroll in 1977; appointed Arkansas Traveler by then-Gov. Bill Clinton in 1979; appointed Honorary Mayor of City of Pauls Valley, Okla., in 1980; awarded title of Honorary Citizen of Oklahoma by Gov. George Nigh in 1983; appointed Honorary Mayor of Osceola, Ark., in 1983; appointed Colonel Aide de Camp of the Governor’s Staff by Gov. Lamar Alexander of the State of Tennessee in 1983.
Bill served as executive director of the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce from 1984-1987. He also chaired many fundraising events for Walker Memorial Hospital in Avon Park.
Bill received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce, 1988. He was a member of Rotary International in Avon Park, served as sergeant-at-arms (1987-88), president (1991-93) and was a Paul Harris Fellow, he was again recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow in 2009. He was appointed a member of the Sebring Utilities Commission and served 1991-1993. Bill sat on the board of the Highlands County, Fla., Salvation Army for many years. He also held offices in the River Greens Home Owners Association from 1998 until 2006.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Alice M. (Pard) in 2007. He is survived by his children, Judith A. Ketner and her former husband Robert L. Wolff of Avon Park, David L. Ketner and wife Claudia of Marietta Ga.; three grandsons, Todd J. Ketner and wife Kristi of Birmingham, Ala., Jay A. Ketner and wife Elizabeth of Plattsburgh N.Y., and Lane B. Ketner and wife Julie of Atlanta. He also is survived by his brother, George (Hank) Ketner, and sister, Marjorie Long, both of Terre Haute; several nieces and nephews; and his brother-in-law, Wayne E. Buchanan Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Helen Wyatt and Martha Switzer; and his brother, John W. Ketner.
Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, at Morris Funeral Chapel, 307 S. Commerce Ave., in Sebring. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, at the funeral chapel. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Avon Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the W. L. “Bill” Ketner Memorial, Taylor University, 236 Reade Ave., Upland, IN 46989.
ZZZ Delete Legacy
Willard L. “Bill” Ketner
- ZZZ Delete Legacy
-
-
Florence Elizabeth 'Flo' Hogue
Florence Elizabeth “Flo” Hogue, 87, of Terre Haute, passed away Saturday, June 26, 2010, in Union Hospital. Florence worked many years for Albert Pick Motel before retirement. She was born Aug. 4, 1922, in Red Oak, Iowa, to Samuel Valentine and Nancy Jane (Allendar) Valentine.
-
Kenneth E. Levin
Kenneth E. Levin, formerly of Terre Haute, passed away Saturday, June 26, 2010, in The Villages, Fla. Kenneth was born May 3, 1924, to A.N. Levin and Jenny (Brown) Levin, in Terre Haute.
-
Ruth Ann Dugger Morris
Ruth Ann Dugger Morris, 80, of Terre Haute, died Saturday, June 26, 2010, at Terre Haute Regional Hospital. Ruth Ann was born Aug. 26, 1929, in Vigo County, to Georgia Dugger Dickey and Roy Dugger.
-
Audrey Olah
Audrey Olah, 90, of Terre Haute, died June 22, 2010, at Southwood Health & Rehabilitation Center. Born at home on Oct. 14, 1919, in rural Clay County, she endured the Great Depression as a farmer’s daughter in Lewis, worked at Owens- Illinois Glass Company during World War II, and was an initial hire of Dr. Morey’s Glas-Col Apparatus Co.
-
Harrison Cabell Shade
Harrison Cabell Shade, 81, of Terre Haute, died Thursday, June 24, 2010, at Terre Haute Regional Hospital. Born April 20, 1929, in Terre Haute, to Henry Shade and Sheppelle Morton Shade.
-
Norma Mae McAtee
LINTON — Nora Mae McAtee, 91, of Linton, passed away Monday, June 28, 2010, at Glenburn Home. She was born in Knox County, on May 25, 1919, to Albert Clarence and Anna Mary (Strahle) Miller.
-
Ronald Dale Rozina
CLINTON — Ronald Dale Rozina, 53, of Clinton, passed away Sunday, June 27, 2010, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born Sept. 21, 1956, in Clinton, the son of John “Shine” Rozina and Frieda Hinkle Rozina.
-
Jerry Rex McDonald
MARTINSVILLE, Ind. — Jerry Rex McDonald, 77, of Martinsville, passed from this life on Saturday, June 26, 2010, at 2:09 p.m., at Community Hospital South in Indianapolis. He was born in Riley, on Feb. 15, 1933, to the late Harry E. McDonald and Lucille (Reed) Barnett.
-
Madelyne Skipo
Madelyne Skipo, 86, of Terre Haute, went home to be with the Lord early Saturday evening, June 26, 2010, at Davis Gardens Health Center. She was born Sept. 29, 1923, in Hymera, to Tracey and Hayley Mahan.
-
William D. Farris
BRAZIL — William D. Farris, 76, of Brazil, died Sunday, June 27, 2010, at the Exceptional Living Center. He was born May 29, 1934, in Brazil, the son of Stanley and Vada (Flockhart) Farris.
- Death Notice: June 29, 2010
-
William Freeman
BRAZIL — William Freeman, 75, of Brazil, passed away at St. Vincent Clay Hospital’s emergency room, on June 28, 2010, from an apparent heart attack. He was born in Clay City, on Aug. 15, 1934, the son of Russell and Lora (Greenwell) Freeman.
-
Jewell M. Ennen
Jewell M. Ennen, 80, of Terre Haute, died at 4:25 a.m. Thursday, June 24, 2010. She was born in Phoenix, on March 20, 1930, to Merlin and Odessa (Caldwell) Arthur.
-
Valerio Chironna
Lifelong Staten Islander Valerio (Val) Chironna, 86, of Eltingville, the owner of a fuel oil company, died Saturday, June 12, 2010, in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, N.Y.
- Death Notices: June 25, 2010
-
Ruth P. Klingler Lietchy
Ruth P. Klingler Liechty, 85, of Terre Haute, died at 8:53 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2010, in Davis Gardens Health Center. She was born in Clay County, on June 5, 1925, to Uly Klingler and Mary Rentschler Klingler.
-
Pauline Arnold Mobley
Pauline Arnold Mobley, 89, passed from this Earth on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at Meadows Manor North Nursing Home, where she resided for six years. Pauline was born Oct. 21, 1920, to John Ernst Arnold and Ora Alta Wilson.
-
Mary Margaret Curry
Mary Margaret Curry, 70, of Terre Haute, passed away at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 20, 2010, in Terre Haute Regional Hospital. She was born in Matheson Ontario, Canada, on July 10, 1939, to William Melville Moffat and Mary Janet Mulligan Moffat.
-
Beulah F. Funk
Beulah F. Funk, 81, of Terre Haute, passed away Sunday afternoon, June 20, 2010, at the ELC of Brazil. She was born Sept. 30, 1928, in Vincennes, to John Huebner and Agnes Bowman Huebner.
-
Robert T. Scott
SULLIVAN — Robert T. Scott, 91, of Sullivan, and formerly of Farmersburg, died June 21, 2010, in Sullivan County Community Hospital. He was born Feb. 7, 1919, to Thomas and Edith (Lewis) Scott.
-
Maxine LaVerna Noble
Maxine LaVerna Noble, 81, of Terre Haute, passed away at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, June 20, 2010, at Southwood Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Terre Haute, on June 20, 1929, to Albert Lowe and Stella Rice Lowe.
-
Charles 'Pune' William Ellinger Jr.
Charles “Pune” William Ellinger Jr., 58, of Terre Haute, passed away on June 19, 2010, at 9:25 p.m., at Union Hospital. He was born June 25, 1951. in Terre Haute, to Charles W. Ellinger and Betty L. Hooker Ellinger.
- Death Notices: June 22, 2010
-
Saralu Thomas
DANA — Saralu Thomas, 86, of Dana, died at 5 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2010, at the Waters Nursing Home of Clinton. She was the retired owner/operator of Thomas Corner Store, in Dana, for 16 years. She was born Sept. 5, 1923, in Dana, to the late Dwight Thompson and Millie Thomson Thompson.
-
June Evelyn Trout Mormans
STAUNTON — June Evelyn Trout Mormans passed away in her home on Saturday, June 19, 2010. She was born July 1, 1928, to Clarence and Winifred (Gilliatt) Trout, and was a life-long resident of Staunton.
-
Marjorie E. Muir Allbright Wiot
Marjorie E. Muir Allbright Wiot, 85, of Terre Haute, formerly of Parke County, passed away at 1:20 a.m. Sunday, June 20, 2010, at Davis Gardens Health Center, in Terre Haute, from natural causes. Born June 10, 1925, in Parke County, she was the daughter of Carl J. Muir and Alice Wimmer Muir.
-
Gregory D. Barnett
BRAZIL — Gregory D. Barnett, 58, died Sunday, June 20, 2010, at St. Vincent Clay Hospital. He was born Feb. 27, 1952, in Kokomo, to Donald A. and Johanna Keegan Barnett.
-
Tyler E. Jackson
Tyler E. Jackson, 21, of Terre Haute, passed away Tuesday morning, June 15, 2010. He was employed with Walmart in Terre Haute. He was born Nov. 14, 1988, in Jasper.
- Death Notices: June 18, 2010
-
Franklin John Followell
Franklin John Followell, 74, of Terre Haute, died in Terre Haute Regional Hospital Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at 8:50 p.m. He was born on March 19, 1936, in Sullivan County, to William Homer Followell and Florence (Martin) Followell.
- More ZZZ Delete Legacy Headlines
-
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Israeli Diplomats Targeted in India, Georgia
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
ShowBiz Minute: Houston, Grammys, BAFTAs
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Attempted Bomb Attack Stopped in Georgia
Kate Upton MLB 2K12 Commercial
Olympic Swimmer Proposes on Podium After Big Win
Scarlett Johansson's Bikini P-D-A
Whitney Houston Funeral Arrangements Set
Man Allegedly Drowns Wife While Scuba Diving
Sports Illustrated Cover Leaked
The 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Meets Donald Trump
Wash. becomes 7th state to okay same-sex marriage
Romijn's 60 Pound Weight Loss
Kissing contest heats up
Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested
Jacqueline Kennedy's personal papers released
Did Tyler Perry Have a Secret Wedding?
Iran denies Israeli embassy bombings
'Bachelor' Free Falls into the Ocean
Facebook Parenting: Father Posts Video Responding to Daughter's Post
Bobby Brown on Houston's Death
