Gailard "Red" Ketcham

Gailard “Red” Ketcham, 95 of Centerville, Ohio passed away Sunday, August 15, 2021 at Bethany Village, Centerville, Ohio.

He was born in Portersville, Ohio to the late Harry and Eunice Ketcham.

He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corp, 306th Bomb Group during World War II; retired from General Motors Corp Frigidaire Division: a member of the Tired Old Men’s Club (T.O.M.); also a volunteer at Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, working on building a B-17 airplane, like the one he flew in; he was involved with the Dayton Honor Flight and the Ohio Motorpool, Military Vehicle Preservation Association.

He will be dearly missed by all that knew him. He had a love of life and never meeting a stranger attitude. He loved teaching, explaining and sharing his knowledge.

Survived by his daughter, Joy Martinez; step-grandchildren, Laura (Brian) Edgington and Becky Ferrel; step great-grandchildren, Matthew (Candace) Cavallo and Kristen (Nick) Aievoli; brother, Jim (Madonna) Ketcham; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Ken and Kathy Klein.

In addition to his parents, preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Jean; four sisters, Mary Tharp, Bonna Sims, Pauline Cate and Daphne Ketcham and son-in-law Luis “Marty” Martinez.

Calling hours will held from 11am to 1pm with funeral service following at 1:00 pm on Friday, August 20, 2021 at the Roberts-Winegardner Funeral Home, 304 Mill Street, New Lexington, Ohio. Reverend Vernagaye Sullivan and Reverend A. Gail Sims will officiate.

Burial will be in Crooksville Cemetery with graveside military services by John Tague Post #188, American Legion, New Lexington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Champaign Aviation Museum, 1652 N. Main Street, Urbana, Ohio 43078.

Online obituary and register book at www.robertsfuneralhomenewlex.com           .           

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