Alton Ketch

Madawaska Lake - Alton Nelson Ketch, 86, passed away Sept. 29, 2018, at the Aroostook House of Comfort in Presque Isle, following a brief illness. He was born Oct. 11, 1931, at Woodland, Aroostook County, son of George L. and Eldena Christina (Nylander) Ketch of Woodland. He was a 1949 graduate of Caribou High School, and served in the US Army from 1955-1957. Following his military service, he farmed potatoes in Woodland for a short time, and worked 32-1/2 years as an installer/repairman for the New England Telephone Company, later known as NYNEX and then Verizon before retiring in the early 1990’s. He was married to Brenda (Drake) Ketch, who survives him, for 54 amazing years. He loved hunting and fishing, and his hobbies included bird watching, collecting fossils, photography, and woodworking, where he offered his handmade wooden crafts at area shows for several years. He had a great love of the outdoors and spent many hours roaming the woods for wildlife and snowshoeing in the winter. He loved to tease people and had a great love for his family and was always generous with his smile and his time whenever anyone needed anything. In addition to his potato farming years, he maintained a very large and productive vegetable garden while living in Woodland. He loved exploring and maintaining the land his grandfather Olof Nylander once lived on. He volunteered many hours of his time to the Sportsman’s Club as well as to anyone who needed a helping hand. Whatever he did, he had a smile on his face and truly enjoyed living life in the County. He also made maple syrup each spring for several years, a craft he worked to perfection. He was a member of the Woodland First Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of Madawaska Lake; one son, Alton Nelson Ketch II and his wife Jana of Madawaska Lake; two daughters, Valerie Ketch and Michael Auen of Bradford, Mass., and Vickie Ketch of Caribou; one brother, Max Ketch of Van Buren; two grandchildren, Wendy Ketch of Edmond, Ok.; and Cindy Ketch of San Antonio, Tex.; five great-grandchildren, Elliot, Bradley, and Torrin of Oklahoma; and Vivianne and Natalie of Caribou; sisters-in-law, Mary Ketch, Pat Lajoie, Betty Drake and Geraldine Curran; brother-in-law Gerald Drake; and many nieces, nephews, his cousin Richard Ketch.. He was predeceased by his parents; first wife, Gale (Holmquist) Ketch; his siblings, Arlene Monteith, Lantie Kinney, Herbert, Kermit, Arnold, Lionel and Darrell Ketch; a sister-in-law, Betty Ketch; and brothers-in- law, Floyd Kinney, Linwood Monteith and Leroy Lajoie and a very special cousin Phil Ketch. Friends may call at the First Baptist Church of Woodland, 12:00 noon, Wednesday, October 3, 2018 until the time of service.  Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Ron Rosser officiating. Interment with military honors will be held at the Woodland Cemetery.  A time of fellowship will be held at the church following the service.  Friends wishing to donate in Mr. Ketch’s memory may do so through the Nylander Museum, Caribou, or the Woodland First Baptist Church. Envelopes are available at the church.