Richard Lee “Dick” Ketcham, 93, of LaHarpe, Illinois, passed away at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at the Hickory Grove Supportive Living in Carthage, Illinois.

 

Richard was born May 6, 1932 in Burnside, Illinois, the son of Homer and Ida (Boyd) Ketcham. On June 6, 1953 he married Kathryn J. McBride at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Carthage. She preceded him in death April 27, 1995. On February 14, 1997 he married Marcella Hardy Reed at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dallas City. She preceded him in death January 9, 2019. 

 

He is survived by six children: Steve Ketcham of Colchester, Illinois, Stephanie (Fred) Doyle of Warsaw, Illinois, Andrea (Vic) Schelin of Riverdale, Iowa, Janelle (Mehrdad) Yassan of Grand Prairie, Texas, Angela (Mike) Pollock of LaHarpe, and Robert (Heather) Ketcham of Streator, Illinois; one daughter-in-law: Kathy Ketcham of Danville, Iowa; one step-daughter: Jean (Noel) Carden of Dallas City, 20 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. 

 

Besides his wives, he was preceded in death by one son: James Ketcham; one grandson: Dustin Ketcham; one great-grandchild: Korbin Rogers; three sisters: Bonnie Martin, Betty Schiefedeker and Mary Harnetiaux; five brothers: Robert “Boyd”, Eugene, James, Keith and Kenneth Ketcham. 

 

Richard was a 1950 graduate of Carthage High School. Shortly after high school he began farming with his father in the Pilot Grove and Durham Townships until 1972. Following his farming career, he moved to LaHarpe and began working at General Electric in Burlington, Iowa, until his retirement in 1994. 

 

Mr. Ketcham was a member of the LaHarpe Lions Club, Knights of Colombus Alleman Council #1853, LaHarpe Senior Citizens, Burlington Moose Lodge #579 and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dallas City. 

 

Banks & Beals Funeral Home of LaHarpe is assisting the family.

 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Carthage with Fr. Tony Trosley as Celebrant. Burial will be in LaHarpe Cemetery. 

 

A luncheon for family and friends will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Hall in Carthage.

 

A Rosary will be recited at 12:30 p.m. July 1st at the church, followed by visitation with the family until time of services.

 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Hancock County Supportive Living, LaHarpe Carnegie Library, LaHarpe Lions Club or the Knights of Columbus Alleman Council #1852. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit Richard’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.