Obituary of Kristine Karol Ketcham

Kristine Karol Ketcham January 22, 1952 – December 21, 2021 Kristine Karol Ketcham, 69, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly but of natural causes at her home on Tuesday, December 21, 2021. Kris was born on January 22, 1952, to the late Harold and Dorothy Myrtle (Lee) Kinne in Michigan City, Indiana. Kris, or “Growl” as she was known by her grandchildren, was one of eight children. She graduated salutatorian from Galien High School. Kris worked as a machinist, supervisor, and foreman for many years; eventually retiring from Schafer Gear Works in South Bend. During her time at work, Kris met Ron Ketcham and in June of 1996, Kris and Ron were married. For over 20 of their years together they also happily worked together. Kris was never one to just sit and do nothing. If she was sitting she was probably reading one of the thousands of books that she owned, watching NASCAR, sharing her knowledge of Star Trek, or sharing the joys of Harry Potter with her family and others. Kris couldn’t sit idle and was frequently at the front counter of Marsh Auto where she got to know all of her customers, played with her grandsons, and delighted in hearing everyone’s stories. Kris was the kind of person who never took from anyone and gave as much love as she had to give to everyone. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Kinne; mother, Dorothy Myrtle Dunker; and brothers, Jack, Billy, and Earl Kinne. Kris is survived by her husband, Ronald Ketcham of Niles; children, Mike Marsh of Portland, Oregon, Trisha (Brian Condon) Marsh of Portland, Oregon, Matt (Jessica) Marsh of Niles; stepchildren, Joanne (Ron) Michalik of Buchanan and Ronnie Ketcham Jr. of Stevensville; grandchildren, Hayden, Lincoln, Baron, and Rachel; siblings, Charlotte (Denny) Smith of Casper, Wyoming, Charles Kinne of New Carlisle, Ed Kinne of St. Joseph, and Alan (Kelda) Kinne of California; and many extended family members and close friends. A memorial service to honor and celebrate Kris’s remarkable life will be held at Brown Funeral Home in Niles on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning at 3:00 p.m. Those wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.