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, daughter of Berlin B. and Edith (McQuade) Maskell.
She attended Fort Fairfield schools and was married to Cecil B. Ketch, Nov. 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, East Limestone Road, Fort Fairfield, which she co-owned with her husband, Cecil, for more than 10 years. Mrs. Ketch had attended several area churches throughout the years and most recently was a dedicated member of 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, Oct. 4, 1992; one infant son in 1931; and 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, Va., and Hudson L. and Jody Ketch of Anniston, Ala.; two daughters and a son-in-law, June and Louis Peers of Limestone, and Luana Reitmeyer of Caribou; one special daughter-in-law, Margaret Ketch of Sparta, N.J.; 10 grandchildren and their spouses, Cecil and Judy Trosper of Limestone, Randy Reitmeyer and his companion, Laurie, of Caribou, Cherri and John Farber of Greensboro, N.C., Scott and Debra Ketch, D’Ann and Tom Rochford, all of Fort Fairfield, Troy and Kathy Ketch of Springfield, Va., Todd and Tracy Ketch of Woodbridge, Va., Wendy and Alan DeAngelo of Evans, Ga., Benita Wally of Franklin, N.J., and Christopher and Jeanine Ketch of Rochester, Minn.; 24 grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews. The Ketch family extends their sincere gratitude to the nurses and staff of Cary Medical Center, Caribou; and Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center, especially Dr. Carl Flynn for the wonderful care given to Lela during her illness.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 6, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. The funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at Community Wesleyan Church, 9 Wesleyan St., Fort Fairfield, with Pastor Dee Lower officiating. Interment will take place after the service at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held after the interment at Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield, co-sponsored by Community Wesleyan Woman and VFW Paul Lockhart Ladies Auxiliary. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. Ketch to Fort Fairfield Community Wesleyan Church, P.O. Box 202, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742; or Halfway Home Pet Rescue, care of Norma Milton, 11 Pioneer Ave., Caribou, ME 04736. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.