Vernon "Sam" D. Ketcham

Army veteran, Barberton community member Vernon D. (Sam) Ketcham born May 14, 1932 passed away February 6, 2026 at 93 yrs old. Sam was active in his adopted hometown in any way he could be. A lifelong fisherman, Lake Erie was his second home and spent the bulk of his adult life on the water.

Preceeded in death by his beloved father and mother Lester and Forest Ketcham, and his wife of 57 yrs Rosalie Ketcham, dear friend Netty Phillips.

He is survived By daughters KimberleyRae Ketcham (Scott Sharkey), and Kellie Gregg (Michael), grandchildren Christy (Daniel), Lyndsay, Rory (Jess), Dan (Jaqueline), Tom, Kyle (Jordan), Arie (Ian), Elizabeth (Scott), Kirsten, Gillianne, Sam, Chloe, Anya, Genevieve, and Aidan. The smallest members, his great grandchildren Ava, Rhett, Hazel, Magnolia, Evelyn, Finn, Colin will miss the one they lovingly called Poppi.

Dad, was a paratrooper for the US Army at Fort Campbell in the Korean War. He served honorably, rising to the rank of corporal. From there he moved to Barberton, Ohio where he took a job as a lineman for Ohio Bell. Over the 30 plus years of his employment there he ended his career as a manager, and public speaker.

Dad was very involved in his adopted hometown. He was in Jaycees, and became president. He was in Kiwanis, had belonged to the Moose Club, the Hungarian Club, he had served on multiple committees including the Civil Service Committee for Barberton. He was politically active his entire life, never missing a single vote, and working the polls until he was 87 years old.

Our dad had been a professional clown, at one point, hanging his giant feet near the back door, next to his fuzzy wig. He had been a charter captain on Lake Erie, his second home for almost as long as his first career. His family spent summers up at the lake, fishing, swimming and water skiing. His grandchildren spent weeks with him and mom on the lake.

Our father always had a house with animals, those he chose and those who chose him. While he preferred dogs, he was the zoo master for quite the menagerie over his lifetime. He was never without a focused interest or hobby. Learning and reading were lifelong ventures for him. He taught us athletic skills we carried far into our adulthood. We learned to swim, golf, water ski, dive, and attempt things with fearlessness or maybe stupidity-we tried things no matter what.

He and Mom shared their love of music and dancing, including taking us out to dinner with our Uncle Denzil and Aunt Lucille and Grandma Ketcham to dance with a 3 piece combo at Sanginitti’s.

With a life as long and large as his, it is nearly impossible to list all the things our dad has done, accomplished, taught, and created. His hyper independence allowed him to live as he wanted, and choose his own exit.

It is with love, respect and gratitude, we send him off on to his next great adventure.

He will always be missed, and always be loved.

The celebration of life for Vernon will be on Saturday February 21, 2026, at 12 noon with a luncheon buffet to follow at The Slovene Center 70-14th St.NW, Barberton, Ohio 44203. Vernon D. Ketcham will be interred at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

Donations can be made in Vernon’s name to The Wounded Warrior Project.