Ketch, Herbert L., 86, October 4, 2014. Interment to be held in the Woodland Cemetery. Arrangements by Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou.
WOODLAND – Herbert L. Ketch, 86, a great family man, agriculturist, church member, sportsman, conservationist, historical preservationist and community servant died October 4, 2014, at his Woodland residence following a brief illness. He was born in Caribou May 28, 1928, the son of the late George and Eldena (Nylander) Ketch.
He was a 1946 graduate of Caribou High School and on November 3, 1949, he married Janet Holmquist. Mr. Ketch was a self-employed farmer and potato grower on the family farm in Colby for over 42 years. He also did crop surveys for the USDA and he served on the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Commission for fifteen years. Mr. Ketch was active in his community, serving on the Woodland School Board for a number of years as well as president of the PTA. He was a charter member of the Woodland Historical Society and worked on the preservation of the Snowman School and the Lagerstrom House. He also assisted with historical displays of Woodland and the Nylander Museum at various county events. Herb was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He was a member of Sportsmen’s Inc. since 1951 and many will remember him as he was in the kitchen, cooking breakfast with his big wide smile, for countless hungry, hunters and families at the clubs Veterans Day hunters’ breakfast. He had a great interest in conservation and worked diligently at preserving The Woodland Bog as well as the Goddard Farm at Square Lake, which is now a State conservation area. For many years, Mr. Ketch was a faithful and devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Woodland. For over thirty five years he served as church president and more recently as its vice president. He has been the head usher since 1966, a church trustee since 1964 and could always be found helping out at church suppers, events and recently the church addition.
Mr. Ketch was predeceased by his wife, Janet, Nov. 23, 2011, a grandson Kurt LeVasseur, a son-in-law, Richard Doll, four brothers; Arnold, Kermit, Lionel and Darrell. He is survived by one son Darrell Ketch and his wife Gael of Standish; five daughters Donna St. Pierre and her husband David of TX; Doreen Campbell and her companion Blaise Caldwell of Caribou and FLA; Diane Hopkins and her husband Jefferson of Orrington and Doris Doll of Bangor and Deborah Tardy and her husband Harold of Woodland. Two brothers, Alton Ketch of Madawaska Lake and Max Ketch of Caribou. Two sisters, Arlene Monteith of Presque Isle and Lantie Kinney of Caribou. 18 grandchildren, 23 great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Mockler Funeral Home 24 Reservoir Street Caribou 6-9 pm Wednesday. Funeral services will be held 1:00 pm Thursday October 9, 2014, from the First Baptist Church of Woodland with Rev. Ron Rosser officiating assisted by Mr. Ketch’s grandson Rev. Jonathan Susee. Interment will be in the Woodland Cemetery. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Ketch may do so through the First Baptist Church of Woodland Memorial Fund or the Woodland Historical Society. www.mockler-funeralhome.com.
