WILBUR CHARLES "BILL" KETTELKAMP

WILBUR CHARLES "BILL" KETTELKAMP, 83, of rural Albion, died at 3:45 a.m. Friday, July 27, 2017, at Parkview Randallia Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was born Aug. 24, 1933, in Pana, Ill., a son of the late Doris Kettelkamp who died when he was three. He was raised by his grandparents living in the Churubusco and Columbia City area. He graduated from Columbia City High School in 1952 where he was a basketball star. He was inducted into the U.S. Army and served his tour of duty in Germany being honorably discharged in 1954. Returning to the area, he became a sheet metal worker for International Harvester for 30 years, retiring in 1989. On April 16, 1992, he married Sue Carol Heath. The couple has made their home in the Albion area during the summer and Bayonet Point, Fla. in the winter. A stand-out athlete, he was a sought after fast pitch softball pitcher playing in the area leagues. In later years he enjoyed feeding his duck, gardening and was fond of his stray cats, especially Blackie. Surviving are his wife of 25 years, Sue; his children, Linda (Jim) Kratzat of Fort Wayne, Karen (Jeff Lothamer) Sheldon of Wolcottville, Doug (Beckie) Kettelkamp of Fort Wayne; and their mother, Janice Huston; step children, Wendy (David) Schafenacker of Ashley and RJ (Lori) Gordon of Hernando Beach, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Julia Cote'. Funeral service 1 p.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, with visitation starting at 11 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne. Preferred memorials are to Parkinson Association or the Columbia City Parks Department. Online condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com