Dr. Donald L. Kettering

Dr. Donald L. Kettering, 91, of Greensburg, peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025, with his wife by his side and surrounded by family. He was born on January 4,1934, in North Braddock, the son of the late Louis Carl and Margaret Joyce Kettering. Don was a graduate of Scott High School in North Braddock, PA, Class of 1951. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, graduating magna cum laude in 1955 and went on to obtain his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1959. Following medical school, Don served in the United States Navy, completing an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He was honorably discharged from the United States Navy in 1967 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Don furthered his medical training with a pulmonary fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Don was board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine. He practiced over 30 years at Excela Health Hospitals, including Westmoreland Regional Hospital and Frick Hospital. Don also held numerous leadership roles throughout his career, including Director of Respiratory Therapy Department, Department of Medicine Chairman, Director of Intensive Care Units, Westmoreland Hospital Staff President, and Medical Director. He was honored by the American Heart Association with the prestigious Heart of Gold Medical Excellence award in 2002. Don exemplified a strong work ethic and a commitment to lifelong learning, earning the respect of his colleagues and dedicated to providing compassionate care to his patients. Don was a member of Greensburg Country Club for 50 years, always ready for his next round of golf and played until he was 90. He enjoyed golfing with friends and family, traveling to play on various courses, and attending the Masters and Ryder Cup. Don was a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. While medicine was his passion, family was Don’s greatest priority. He treasured time spent with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and brother. Family vacations at Hilton Head and the annual Labor Day party hosted by his brother and nephew were always a favorite. Don will be remembered as a selfless, humble and caring man who cherished life and loved family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dr. Joseph Michael Kettering in 2016 and his sister, Dolores Shelley. Dr. Kettering is survived by his loving and devoted wife of sixty-five years, Patricia Ann Stadterman Kettering; three children, Donald Kettering, Jr. (Lucie) of Chicago, IL; Mary Pat Sullivan (Daniel) Moon Twp.; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Marsh Kettering of Greensburg; and James Kettering (Michele) of Silver Spring, MD; ten grandchildren, Donald Kettering, III, Meghan Shirley (Matthew), Jaclyn Sohizad (Babak), Jessica Ciserella (Matthew), Kathryn Girgensons (Zemgus), Caroline Kettering, Louis Kettering, Nicholas Kettering, William Kettering and Margaret Kettering; eight great grandchildren, Piper and Madelyn Shirley, Skylar and Brooklyn Sohizad, Robert and Benjamin Ciserella and Hadlee and Lucas Girgensons; a brother, David Kettering (Mary Ann) of Murrysville; and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends of Dr. Kettering will be received Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Clement L. Pantalone Funeral Home, Inc. 409 W. Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, (724) 837-0020. Prayers of transfer will be said in the funeral home Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. Entombment will follow in Mary, Mother of Mercy Mausoleum at St. Vincent, Latrobe. The family would like to thank the staff of Suncrest Hospice, Apple Blossom Senior Living and Senior Helpers of Greensburg for their loving and compassionate care of their husband and father. It did not go unnoticed and was much appreciated. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, PO Box 862, Carnegie, PA 15106. Dr. Kettering’s family has entrusted his care to the Pantalone Funeral Home Inc., Greensburg. For online condolences / directions, visit us at pantalone.com. Natale N. Pantalone, supervisor.