U.S. Veteran Funeral services for L.J. Ketcher, age 78, of Stilwell, will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at Hart Memorial Chapel with Bro. James Wheeler and Bro. Max Ford officiating. Interment will follow at Bunch Cemetery under the direction of Hart Funeral Home.
L.J. Ketcher was born on January 28, 1930, in Stilwell, Oklahoma to Noah Ketcher and Tempie (Dice) Ketcher. He departed this life on April 11, 2008, at his home in Stilwell, Oklahoma at the age of 78 years, 2 months and 14 days.
L.J. was in the National Guard before being mobilized to the Korean War with the 45th Infantry Division of the Army, “The Fighting Thunderbirds” from 1950-1952. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart. On November 28, 1953 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, he was married to Bertha Girdner and this union was blessed with three sons, L.J. Jr., Clifford and Noah. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, rolling around with all his grandchildren and watching his favorite television programs, “The Price is Right” and “The Young and the Restless”.
His parents, Noah and Tempie Ketcher, preceded him in death as well as one brother, Watie Ketcher.
He leaves behind a loving family which includes his wife of 54 years, Bertha Ketcher, of the home; three sons, L. J. Ketcher and wife, Sheila, of Westville, Cliff Ketcher and wife, Elizabeth, Noah Ketcher and wife, Janice, all of Stilwell; his brothers and sisters, Stanley Hummingbird and wife, Virginia, of Stilwell, Monte Shipley and wife, Tina, of Sand Springs, OK, Nick Hummingbird and wife, Sue, of Stilwell, Stan Ketcher and wife, Joyce, of Ponca City, OK, Don Ketcher and wife, Bet, of Oklahoma City, OK and Wynemma Bean and husband, Alfred, of St. Louis, MO; sister-in-law, Shirley Ketcher, of Broken Arrow, OK; eight grandchildren, Noah Ketcher, Jr., Jacob Ketcher, Tim Ketcher, Patrick Ketcher, Philip Ketcher, Ashleigh Auffet and husband, Zach, Melissa Ketcher, Josh Ketcher and wife, Robyn; two great grandchildren, Adian Auffet and Emily Ketcher. Many relatives, friends and loved ones also survive him.
