Obituary of Vernon Ketten

Staff Sgt. Vernon A. Ketten (Ret.) COLUMBIA - SSG Vernon A. Ketten, Ret., decorated Army veteran has left his earthly home and departed to his final duty station his Eternal Heavenly Home, on November 27, 2012. Born Saturday, January 10, 1931, in Commerce, Oklahoma, Vernon was a son of the late Angus and Gertrude Ketten. He enlisted in the Army in July 1950 and retired in August 1972 serving a total of 20 years, 2 months and 27 days. During his military service, Vernon served in Vietnam and Indochina receiving the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal 1st and 2nd OLC, VSM with 3 Battle Stars, RVNCM, RVN Action Honor Medal 1st Class. Vernon was also a member of the Association of Military Musicians where he played the tuba. In addition to his parents, Vernon was preceded in death by two sons, Joseph Gardner and Timothy Scott Ketten and one daughter, Kathryn Whetsell. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ketten; five sons, Jerry Gardner (Theresa), Randy Gardner (Danielle), Nicki Gardner, Jaime Ketten, (Tina) and Chris Ketten (Carla); three daughters, Cheryl McDonald (Larry), Linda Pender, Teresa Higgins (Patrick); 24 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Home going services will be conducted on Friday, November 30, 2012, at 12:00 P.M. (Noon) in Charity Baptist Church, 2200 Lower Richland Blvd., Hopkins, SC 29061, with Pastor Jack W. Smith officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 29, 2012, from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M., in Greenlawn Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia SC 29209. The family requests that memorial contributions be made, in Vernon's name, to Charity Baptist Church.