Wanda M. "Opal" (Elam) Ketron

Wanda M. "Opal" (Elam) Ketron, age 89, passed December 17, 2023 in Chicago in the presence of family. She was born on August 18, 1934 in Knox County, Kentucky to the late Frank and Ella (Berry) Elam.

Wanda completed college course work at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio plus additional courses in library science at various locations as she continued to care for her family. Her occupations included office administration at Lafayette Junior High School (Illinois) and Hanover College (Indiana), as well as head librarian at Columbia Public Library (Illinois) where she implemented a large building expansion project. The enduring legacy for Wanda’s life was one of service – to God, family, congregations, and communities. Her kindness and encouraging spirit touched a multitude of people’s hearts in meaningful ways. As a pastor’s wife, Wanda wholeheartedly supported, in countless ways, her husband’s ministry to the many churches in which he served.

In addition to her parents, Wanda was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Myron L. Ketron in 1988 and her sister Jill Evans in 2002.

Survived by her brothers Jack (Mary) Elam, Jerry Michael (Sharon) Elam, and Roger Elam. She also leaves her children Jerry (Louisa) Ketron, Cindi (Ed) Hodukavich, David (Heather) Ketron, Christina Ketron, and Stephanie Ketron. She has six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, July 1, 2024 at Barnes Funeral Home, 220 East Main Street, Eaton, Ohio with Pastor Rodney Dunn officiating. Inurnment will be held in Spring Lawn Cemetery in New Paris. The family will receive friends on Monday from 10 to 11 at the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions: St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Condolences may be sent to the family via the website at www.barnesfuneralhome.com.