Obituaries : Richard R. “Harv” Kettler

CLINTON — Richard R. “Harv” Kettler, 63, of Clinton, went to meet his Savior on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014, at Methodist Hospital, Rochester, Minn. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, at Evangelical Free Church, Clinton. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Rich’s nephews, Ben Kettler, Seth Kettler, Ryan Kettler, Paul Kettler, Paul Horner, Chuck Horner III, Jared Horner, Ike Davidoski and Trey Horner.

Rich was born Nov. 21, 1950, in Clinton, the son of Harvey and Ruth (Raun) Kettler. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1969 and attended Clinton Community College. Rich married Jonelle Horner on Sept. 16, 1978, at St. Boniface Church, Clinton. He retired from the United States Postal Service in Rock Island, with over 38 years of service, and was employed with the Clinton Community School District transportation department as a substitute bus driver. Rich was a member of Evangelical Free Church and played billiards in the Clinton Pool League.

Rich had a true love of life. He cherished all moments, no matter the size. He loved spending time with family and friends, the Fourth of July, the Iowa Hawkeyes and participating in his son’s life. He took pride in providing for his family. He was a “gentle giant” with a genuine heart of gold, warm love for family and an enduring faith.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the physicians, nurses, therapists, ministers and staff of Mayo Clinic who worked tirelessly to provide him with such comfort during his extended hospital stay. A special thank you to the nursing staff of Station 64 for their compassion and comprehensible care … “His exemplary courage was admired by us all and made us better nurses. We were honored to care for him.”

Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 36 years, Jonelle, and their son, Matthew, an Air Force pilot in Charleston, S.C. Also heartbroken are his brothers and their families, Larry and Carolyn (Vinton, Iowa), with son, Ben, and wife, Jessi, and grandchildren, Tate and Kenzi; son, Seth, and wife, Chelsea, and grandchildren, Cylas and Eli; daughter, Jessica; Bob and Julie (Fulton, Ill.), with daughters, DeAnna and Alison; and Dave (deceased) and Desi (Cary, N.C.), with son, Ryan, and wife, Jessica and son, Paul. His father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Joan Horner (Clinton); brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles Horner Jr. (Clinton), with daughters, Kacey and Angie, and son, Chuck III; Tim and Billie Jo Horner (Clinton), with daughters, Amy and Mallory, and son, Paul; Suzanne and Joseph Davidoski (Cincinnati), with daughters, Lydia and Helen, and son, Ike; and Steven Horner (Davenport), with sons, Jared and Trey, and daughter, Erica. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Dave. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or Mayo Clinic Foundation. Online condolences and favorite memories with Rich may be left with Pape Funeral home at www.papefh.com.