Joann H. Ketner, 85, of Mount Vernon, went to be with the Lord on March 19, 2025. She was rushed to Knox Community Hospital from Whispering Hills Nursing Home early morning on March 17th, then transported by life flight to Riverside Hospital in Columbus. Alzheimer’s Disease had taken over her brain and body for the last several years; however, she ultimately passed away from wide complex tachycardia followed by bradycardia, with severe sepsis from Covid.
Joann is survived by her only child, Lori A. (Mark T. Wolfe) Ketner of Mount Vernon; her younger brother, Bruce (Bonnie) Nantz of London, Kentucky; honored sister-in-law, Norma Nantz of Berea, Kentucky; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Joann was preceded in death by her true love and spouse, David L. Ketner who went to be with the Lord on November 14, 2019; her parents, Rose and Lawrence Nantz of Helton, Kentucky; and eight brothers and sisters along with their spouses.; brothers, Lowell Nantz, Don (Helen) Nantz, John (Norma) Nantz; sisters, Golda Rowlette, Viola, Carolyn (Riley) Smith, Ruby Bates, and Evelyn (Don) Swarts.
Joann was born on December 8, 1938, in Helton, Kentucky (Harlem and Hazard). She was the youngest girl, the second youngest in the family of a total of ten children. She grew up in the beautiful, peaceful Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern Kentucky. She graduated from Red Bird High School in Stenmit, Kentucky. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Helton, KY where she was baptized in the river.
After graduation, she attended and graduated from a business college in Knoxville, Tennessee. Following her graduation, she lived and worked in Chicago, Illinois for a short time before moving to Mount Vernon, Ohio to be near one of her sisters. She found work at Cooper Bessmer Energy Services as a switchboard operator. That is where she met David, and they married at the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon on August 21, 1963. In the 1970’s, she worked as a court stenographer for the Knox County Municipal Court. During this time, she also pursued her passion for music and learned to play the organ. Her entire family was very musically talented and she herself was an excellent piano player who had played since she was a young girl. Right up until the time she was admitted into the nursing home, she played her piano beautifully. Her music choices were old time hymns and gospel music.
Joann loved her work at Cooper Bessmer Energy Services, later known as Rolls-Royce. She worked as a shipping clerk and was a member of the Union. She was employed there for more than 45 years.
Joann prioritized her relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ, her family, and her work. She was a faithful servant of the Lord, lived with a joyful heart and spirit, and worked with honesty and integrity.
In the summer, we would all go boating. Mom loved to go boating; however, she could not swim or even float, but you could not talk her into wearing a life jacket! She looked forward to taking her vacation time to be with her husband and daughter and traveling to see her family in Kentucky and then onto Gatlinburg, Tennessee nearly every year. She loved to travel with her family. Other memorable trips included Colorado, California, South Dakota, Florida, North and South Carolina, New York, Washington, D.C. and Virginia Beach, Virginia. Joann loved to see the hills and mountains, but she really loved to hear the ocean and walk along the beach while feeling the sunshine down upon her and watching for dolphins and the sea gulls.
Joann will be greatly missed by the staff and other residents of Whispering Hills Nursing Home. The staff took exceptionally great care of her, and she loved living there in her last years. Joann always had a big, beautiful, genuine smile on her face that radiated the hallways.
Her soul was truly happy and at peace. I have no doubt that she is in Heaven!
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at the Snyder Funeral Homes, Flowers Chapel, 619 East High St., Mount Vernon. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church, 106 North Gay St., Mount Vernon with Pastor Ross Slaughter officiating.
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
The Snyder Funeral Homes are honored to serve the family of Joann H. Ketner.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com