Mr. Arvin C. “Toad†Ketchem, 84, of Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord, on Sunday, July 10, 2011 at the James H. Quillen Veteran’s Administration Medical Center Hospital following an extended illness.
He was the son of the late George Denny and Katie Holdren Ketchem and was born in Elgood, WV. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Charles Nidiffer Ketchem, a brother Aven Ketchem, and a sister, Elberta Szkiresak.
Mr. Ketchem was a veteran of the United States Navy and served during WWII. He was retired from North American Rayon Corporation and was the last engineer to drive the train there. He was an active member of Pleasant Beach Baptist Church where he served the congregation as a deacon and treasurer for thirty-nine years and the choir director for thirty-six years. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved to fish and play golf.
He is survived by a daughter, Cathy Ann Miller, Elizabethton; a granddaughter, Cara Miller Buchanan and her husband, Jim, Elizabethton; four great-grandchildren, Ashton, Cameron, Bryston and Jeremy; a brother, Ervin Ketchem and his wife, Bea, Elizabethton; four sisters, Irene Bates, AZ; Anne Lee Ferren, MI; Clara Lyons and her husband, Vernon, FL; and Shirley Carter, Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral service for Mr. Ketchem will be conducted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 7:00 PM in the Riverside Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Rev. Charlie Biggs, Rev. Bobby Stout and Rev. Ken Jones officiating. Music will be under the direction of the Pleasant Beach Baptist Church Choir. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Wednesday.
The graveside service and interment will be conducted on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Jim Buchanan, Adrian Tolley, John Russell, Pat Smith, Charlie Pearson, Gordon Lewis and John Bradley. Military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post #49. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home at 9:45 AM Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery.
The family would like to express a very special thank you to the staff of Pine Ridge Care and Rehab Center and to the doctors, nurses and other staff members of the James H. Quillen Veteran’s Administration Medical Center Hospital for the love, care and concern shown to the family and to Mr. Ketchem during his illness.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book or by fax 423 542-9499.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton is serving the family. Office 423 542-2232, Obituary line 543-4917
