Ketch, Lela B., 97, of Fort Fairfield, at Caribou, on May 3, 2011. Arrangements are in the care of the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, Fort Fairfield.
FORT FAIRFIELD — Lela B. Ketch, 97, wife of the late Cecil B. Ketch, passed away Tuesday evening, May 3, 2011, at a Caribou nursing facility, after a brief illness. She was born March 7, 1914, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Berlin B. and Edith (McQuade) Maskell. She attended Fort Fairfield schools and was married to Cecil B. Ketch on November 6, 1929. A dedicated homemaker, Lela was also employed by Potato Service for a number of years, and after, worked at the former Loring Air Force Base dining hall. She was also very active in the day-to-day operation of Ketch’s Market on the East Limestone Road, Fort Fairfield which she co-owned with her husband Cecil for over ten years. Mrs. Ketch had attended several area churches over the years, and most recently was a dedicated member of the Fort Fairfield Community Wesleyan Church. Lela will be remembered by all as a wonderful, caring person who when able, would visit the sick and help them in any way possible. She loved her family as well as her church family and was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She was fond of animals, especially cats, and deeply loved her “Kitty Tom”.
In addition to her parents, Lela was predeceased by her husband Cecil on October 4, 1992; one infant son in 1931; one sister, Anna Cota. She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Hardie L. and Glenda Ketch of Fort Fairfield, Duwain C. and Bonnie Ketch of Burke, Virginia, Hudson L. and Jody Ketch of Anniston, Alabama; two daughters and son-in-law, June and Louis Peers of Limestone, Luana Reitmeyer of Caribou; one special daughter-in-law, Margaret Ketch of Sparta, New Jersey; ten grandchildren and their spouses, Cecil and Judy Trosper of Limestone, Randy Reitmeyer and his companion Laurie of Caribou, Cherri and John Farber of Greensboro, North Carolina, Scott and Debra Ketch, D’Ann and Tom Rochford all of Fort Fairfield, Troy and Kathy Ketch of Springfield, Virginia, Todd and Tracy Ketch of Woodbridge, Virginia, Wendy and Alan DeAngelo of Evans, Georgia, Benita Wally of Franklin, New Jersey, Christopher and Jeanine Ketch of Rochester, Minnesota; twenty-four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews.
The Ketch family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the nurses and staff of the Cary Medical Center, Caribou and the Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center, especially Dr. Carl Flynn for the wonderful care given to Lela during her illness.
Friends called Friday, May 6, 2011 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield. The funeral service was conducted Saturday, May 7, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the Community Wesleyan Church, 9 Wesleyan Street, Fort Fairfield with Pastor Dee Lower officiating. Interment took place after the service at the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments was held after the interment at the Fort Fairfield VFW Paul Lockhart Post Number 6187, Presque Isle Street, co-sponsored by the Community Wesleyan Woman and the VFW Paul Lockhart Ladies Auxiliary. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. Ketch to the Fort Fairfield Community Wesleyan Church, P.O. Box 202, Fort Fairfield, 04742 or the Halfway Home Pet Rescue, care of Norma Milton, 11 Pioneer Avenue, Caribou, 04736. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.
