J. F. "Frank" Ketchum

J. F. "Frank" Ketchum, age 102, of Arkadelphia, died Sunday, June 16, 2013. He was born on December 31, 1910 at Bonnerdale, the son of Jimmy Ketchum and Mattie Grant Ketchum. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Goldia VanHorn Ketchum; his second wife, Flora Short House Ketchum; his infant son, Charles Warner Ketchum; five siblings, Odie Ketchum, Cletis Ketchum, Myrtle Caver, Minnie Dillard and Leonard "Pete" Ketchum; and his son-in-law, Dr. Richard E. Riggins. As a young man, Frank received a teacher's certification and taught at three different one room schools in the Bonnerdale area, Hawk School, Bright School and Bonnerdale School. After the schools consolidated with Glenwood Public School, he retired from teaching. He went to work and retired with Reynolds Metals in Arkadelphia. He enjoyed singing gospel music and was a member of the St. Andrews United Methodist Church. Frank served on the Grants Chapel Cemetery board for many years. He is survived by three children and their spouses, Carlos "Carl" and Dorothy Ketchum of Homestead, Florida, Frankie Parson-Riggins of Longview, Texas and Wendell and Carol Jean Ketchum of Arkadelphia; ten grandchildren, Jennifer Burnham, Kristin Allen, Ryan Ketchum, Carl Ketchum, Jr., Michael Ketchum, Carlene Mathes, Sydney Kessell, Karen Smith, Tracey Welborn and David Parson, Jr.; fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 20, 2013, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Glenwood with Dr. Ray Franklin and Terry Diggs officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, 9:30 AM until service time. Interment will be in the Grants Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood. Pallbearers will be Carl Ketchum, Jr., Michael Ketchum, Ryan Ketchum, Mark Burnham, Dayne Welborn, David Parson, Jr. and Mike Allen. Honorary pallbearers will be his great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of Twin Rivers Health and Rehabilitation for their loving care for our Dad. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grants Chapel Cemetery Association, % Jim Morphew, 1501 Dollar Road, Glenwood, Arkansas 71943. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.