James A. Kettelkamp, 87 of Stronghurst, Illinois died at 8:55 a.m. Sunday July 1, 2012 in the Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab Center in Stronghurst. He was born December 30, 1924 in Illiopolis, Illinois, the son of Rev. Andrew B. and Freda Meyer Kettelkamp. On June 2, 1946, he married Effie Jeanne Talbott in Stronghurst.

Mr. Kettelkamp was a 1942 graduate of Blue Mound, Illinois High School and then served in the Army Air Corps in World War II and the Korean War. He farmed locally, and also was an investigator for the Illinois Department Of Agriculture, Division of Inspections, for many years, retiring in 1989. He had served as a committeeman for the Henderson County A.S.C.S., was a board member of the former Media-Wever High School in Media, Illinois, and was a Henderson County 4-H leader for many years, He was an active member of the Stronghurst Lions Club and the Henderson County Republicans. He was active in the Stronghurst United Methodist Church, where he had served as Sunday School teacher and was former chairman of the Church Council. He enjoyed his family and attending the activities of his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, one daughter - Martha (Gene) Dakin of Chillicothe, IL., two sons- Steven (Gail) Kettelkamp of Moline, IL., Mark (Ann) Kettelkamp of Benson, MN., nine grandchildren, twenty one great grandchildren, two sisters- Ruth Armstrong of Moweaqua, IL., Esther (Ben) Cavataio of McChesney, IL., and one brother- John Kettelkamp of Tucson, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers- Raymond and Robert Kettelkamp.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. The funeral service for Mr. Kettelkamp will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday July 6, 2012 in the Stronghurst United Methodist Church with Rev. Anita Munden officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the Stronghurst Cemetery. Memorials have been established for the Mission Program of the United Methodist Church, and for Oakwood Estates and Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab, in Stronghurst. .