Fred Lee Ketchum – Hansen-Spear

Fred Lee Ketchum, age 76, of Plainville, IL, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 7:18 p.m. in Blessing Hospital.

Fred was born on November 30, 1948, the son of Arnold J. and Gladys H. Hall Ketchum. Fred grew up on a farm near La Prairie, IL. He graduated from Central High School in Camp Point, IL where he received the Soil and Water Conservation Award from Future Farmers of America in 1966.

Fred was a social studies teacher at St. Ann’s Prairie Village and Payson Grade School and a youth sports coach for over 20 years. He spent many years coaching at the Quincy YMCA, where he received the Volunteer of the Year Award in 1985. He coached basketball at St. Ann’s Parish School in Prairie Village, KS, where his team won the championship of the archdiocese of Kansas City in 1971.He coached basketball and baseball at the Stewart Field Air Base near Newburgh, NY. He coached basketball at Payson Grade School in Payson, IL. He coached basketball, baseball, flag and tackle football in Quincy at St. Francis Grade School, Lincoln Grade School, Baldwin Intermediate School, Quincy YMCA, Pat Keane Pony League, Marantha Little League, and Quincy Park District.

He worked at Vatterott College as an admissions counselor until his retirement in 2004. He received the Vatterott College High School Relations MVP of the Year Award in 2001. He held a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science with a minor in Secondary Education (1970) from Sterling College in Sterling, KS and a Master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance (1982) from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. Fred served in the United States Army from 1971-1973 where he was a medic at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY.

He was married for 20 years and had four children: Michelle, Jennifer, Aaron, and Tina. Fred is survived by his children, along with his brothers, Bruce and his wife, Mel, and Harold and his wife, LuAnn, and their children, Stephanie and Lucas, along with numerous cousins. Fred was preceded in death by his parents.

Fred loved his dogs, and Skippy, Roscoe, and Tiberius were three of his favorites, along with Rusty, Sandy, Blackie, Yeller, Skippy II, and three more beagles. Fred adopted and grew to love his cat, Sammy. Fred eventually became a lover and defender of feral cats. He felt a certain connection towards them. His very best friends in life were: Shaggy, Stranger, Beautiful, Yeller, Big Gray, Rake Back, Peg Leg, Leopard, Racer, Blackie, Whitey, Little Whitey, New Guy, Pale, Small, Mom, Cross, Patches, Maria, Bubba, Blackie II, Little Gray, Sammy, Brown Nose, Survivor, Yeller II, Tiger, Blue Eyes, Snicklefritz, Housecat, Big Mo, Corker, Love, Clip, Multicolor, Timid, Mellow, Wobbley, and Blackie III. He loved them all.

Fred was an avid Atlanta Brave, Chicago Bear, and Philadelphia 76er fan and a life-long Democrat. He attended Church of St. Peter Catholic Church. Fred’s pastimes included Mid-Mississippi Muddy Waters Blues Society, Blues in the Park, Gus Macker Basketball Tournament, comedy at Backwater’s Night Club, Lily’s Lounge at the old Holiday Inn, and the World Freefall Convention where he received the prestigious Jimmy D. “Spirit” Award in 2001. Fred spent most of his free time going through second hand stores and antique shops and going to auctions. Fred lived on Pepsi Cola, and his father told him when he was very young that if Pepsi was alcohol he would be drunk all of the time. Fred’s love of life and his enthusiasm will be missed.

Visitation: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Service: 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with Monsignor Leo Enlow officiating.

Burial: Mt. Horeb Cemetery, La Prairie, IL

Memorials: Quincy Humane Society. Memorial donations may be made on line at: https://memorials.hansenspear.com/.

www.hansenspear.com

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.