Joseph M. Ketchum

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph M. Ketchum of Eudora, Kansas, on May 25th, at the age of 70. As a child of God, he now resides in his heavenly home with his Lord and Savior. Joe was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, on February 14, 1955, to Joseph and Maxine Ketchum.

Visitation and celebration of life service will be held Saturday, June 7th, at 10:00 with the service following at 11:00 am at Grace Presbyterian Church, 3312 Calvin Dr., Lawrence, KS.

He was loved and cherished by many friends and family and will be sadly missed by his wife of 37 years, Donna Black Ketchum; his two step-daughters, Jenny Lee of Prairie Village and Julie Avila (Vince) of Berryton; his six precious grandchildren, Luke and Mae Audus, Alex, Haley, Lila and Titus Avila; his sister Becky Hickok of St. Joseph, MO; his brother and sister-in-law Serrel and Diane Black of Overland Park, KS, brother in law Lloyd Ueligger and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Maxine Ketchum, sister Mary Jo, his in-laws, Clifford and Patricia Black, half sisters Patty Ueligger and Bobbie Babcock and her husband Bill.

Joe was a member of IBEW Local 226 as a Journeyman Electrician. He worked out of the union hall for many years and later worked at the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, DeSoto, KS, where he met the love of his life, Donna. He later started Honey-do’s Handyman Services in 1991 and was in business for 32 years.

Joe was the eternal optimist and always thought the best of others. He always had a happy spirit and loved working with and for others and helping out in any way he could. He found so much joy in building props and other fixtures for annual vacation bible school at Grace Church. He loved doing anything for the children and especially his six grandkids who attended VBS. Joe also found joy in helping Insight Women’s Center by driving the mobile medical unit providing sonograms for women in the Lawrence area. He dearly loved his two step-daughters and they loved him. He also loved his son-in-law, Vince, who provided him many hours of fun “projects” to help him with. But the crème d la crème was the love and joy he found in his grandkids; Alex, Haley, Luke, Lila, Mae and Titus.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s name to Grace Presbyterian Church, Insight Women’s Center of Lawrence, Children’s Haven International, Pharr, TX or Alpha Christian Children’s Home, Perry, KS and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary 120 W. 13th St. Lawrence, KS 66044.