Glenn E. Ketner Sr.

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Glenn Ketner Obituary

Glenn E. Ketner, Sr.
SALISBURY -- Glenn E. Ketner, Sr., born November 13, 1911, passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2007 in Salisbury, North Carolina. He was the eldest son of Effie Yost Ketner and George Robert Ketner of Rowan County. Mr. Ketner is survived by Addie Glover Ketner, his wife of 77 years; daughter, Carolyn Ketner Penny of Durham, NC; and son, Glenn E. Ketner, Jr. of Salisbury. Also surviving are son-in-law, Wade H. Penny, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Susan H. Ketner; grandchildren, Wade H. Penny III, David M. Penny, Carolyn Leigh Penny, Michael G. Penny, Glenn E. Ketner III and John C. Ketner; six great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Ralph W. Ketner and Dorothy K. Swing of Salisbury and Virginia K. Petty of Greensboro.
For more than 70 years, Mr. Ketner was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where he served as Chairman of the Lutheran Brotherhood, President of the Fisher Bible Class, Superintendent of the Adult Sunday School department and Chairman of the St. John's Benevolent Foundation. He was one of the incorporators and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Home Mission Foundation of the United Evangelical Lutheran Synod of North Carolina.
Mr. Ketner established Ketner's Super Markets and Excel Grocery Company while pioneering self-service grocery supermarkets in North Carolina. He later acquired and developed commercial real estate properties through Rowan Investment Company, and Ketner Center. In 1956 Mr. Ketner and his wife created the Ketner Foundation, which supports education and other charitable causes.
Throughout his life Mr. Ketner was active within local civic and volunteer organizations. A member of the Salisbury Lions Club since 1936, he served in a number of positions, including president. In recognition of his community leadership, the Lions named Mr. Ketner both Lion of the Year and Man of the Year. Mr. Ketner also served as president of the Salisbury-Rowan Chamber of Commerce, the Salisbury Community Foundation, the Salisbury-Rowan YMCA and the Salisbury-Spencer Merchants Association. In July 2000, he was cited for service to his community and the State of North Carolina and awarded membership in the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr.
An 18-year member of the Lenoir-Rhyne College Board of Trustees, Mr. Ketner was conferred an honorary Doctorate of Commercial Science in 1964 in recognition of his service to the College. Mr. and Mrs. Ketner created the Glenn E. and Addie G. Ketner Scholarship at Lenoir-Rhyne and, more recently, have endowed a nursing professorship at the college. At Catawba College in Salisbury they have established a First Family Scholarship and initiated the Glenn E. and Addie G. Ketner Center for International Studies.
There will be a memorial service at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 28th at St. John's Lutheran Church. Visitation will follow the service in the Church fellowship hall. A private burial is planned.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the St. John's Benevolent Foundation, 200 West Innes Street, Salisbury, NC 28144, Catawba College, 2300 West Innes Street, or Lenoir-Rhyne College, Box 7150, Hickory, NC, 28603.

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Published by Charlotte Observer on Sep. 25, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Glenn Ketner

9 Entries

Doug & Michelle C-optical

October 18, 2007

With Deepest Sympathy to the Ketner Family,

Patt Abercrombie

September 29, 2007

Aunt Addie -

I have wonderful childhood memories of Uncle Glenn and will keep you and yours in my prayers.
Your Niece - Patt

Patt Abercrombie

September 29, 2007

Aunt Addie --
Please know I cherish my childhood memories of Uncle Glenn and hold you in my thoughts and prayers.

Your niece, Patt

Pam Tinsley

September 28, 2007

To Mrs. Ketner, Glenn Jr. and Susan

Pam, Paul and Gene Tinsley would like to express our deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband/father. May God bless and strengthen you now and always.

God Bless,
Tinsley Family

Charlotte Hill

September 27, 2007

To the Ketner Family,
Mr. Ketner was truely a man of God. He spoke often of his love for the Lord. We know that he is no longer suffering nor is he in any pain. I pray that God will confort you and fill this deep void left by his passing.
Addie, I would like to thank you for having given me many opportunities in life that I may not have had otherwise.

Ronald Harris

September 26, 2007

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Mike Moore

September 25, 2007

To me, Mr. Ketner will always be the "REAL FOOD LION."
What a loss to family, Salisbury, Rowan County, and the State of North Carolina.

Ryan and Carol LaHurd

September 25, 2007

Addie, Carolyn, Wade and family,
Carol and I send our sympathies and our prayers on the loss of Glenn. His many selfless acts of philanthropy to his community, the Church, and education -- especially Lenoir-Rhyne College -- have made a lasting impact that will continue to bear fruit and preserve the memory of his life for many years to come.

Sandy Erik Pardue

September 25, 2007

Mrs. Ketner and Family,
I was sad to hear about Mr. Ketner. He was so nice to me when I worked for the Salisbury Rowan Merchants Association back in the 1980's. We worked together on promoting all of Rowan County in promotions including the Ketner Center. You and him were so kind to send me a get well card once while I was ill and it meant so much for you to remember me in that way. I have never forgotten it. I often think of you both as I pass by the Ketner Center. Mr. Ketner and I talked frequently back at that time. He was a very positive influence to me. I have also heard my father Albert Shepherd speak highly of him. He used to work for him at a grocery store once and he encouraged him to get a further education. He influenced a great deal of folks. I will never forget him and his kindness. You and your family have my deepest sympathy at this time. God Bless.

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