Donald Ketels

“Be good and be careful.” You’d hear this mantra every time you left Donald. But, it was to be expected from a guy who lived his whole life for his family. Though they moved all over the world, he made sure he brought his family home for the holidays, even if it was just for a phone call. Don was always a jokester and a flirt; even on his death bed he gave the nurses a little wink. He played a little golf, claiming to have never missed a body of water, but Don did have a card with a one on it. He wasn’t big into technology: he thought computers were a passing fad and never progressed past his flip phone. Don delayed his education and served during WWII on the islands. Of course, those islands were Staten Island and Long Island. He’d already earned a degree at Dickenson but, when he left the service, continued his education at Wharton and Rutgers where he earned a degree in finance. Parishioners at Beverly United Methodist Church had the joy of hearing Don sing. He was a Vice President for Frankfurt Trust Co.

As a young boy he’d meet a little girl who forced her way into all of the boys’ games. As an adult, he’d reconnect with late Erma, a fiery redhead. The secret to a 50-year marriage: never go to sleep angry. They were blessed by 3 children, Donald Jr. (Karen), Douglas (Debbie) and the late Craig (Diane); grandchildren: Christopher Waddell, Aaron Engler, Jillian Hollingsworth, Camea Allen, Christine Diaz, Ellen Conley, Jill, Kyle, Bryan, Craig, Steven, Diane and the late Adam Ketels; 14 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren. Donald is survived by his sister, Patricia Daniels; sister-in-law, Betty Turner (Byron) and he was the uncle of Al Swenson and Dorcas Anderson. He was preceded in death by his sister Madeline Keelan.

Come celebrate 94 great years Thursday 6-8 p.m. and Friday 9-10 a.m. at Sweeney Funeral Home, Beverly where there will be a service at 10 a.m. Interment Sunnyside Cemetery, Tunkhannock, PA.