Rev. Francis D. Ketner Jr., of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away quietly on Saturday, June 27th.
Francis lived 88 years as a devout Christian who received the call to ministry while in college.
Loving husband of the late Elsie A. Ketner and the late Doris Varian Ketner.
Devoted father of the late Dr. Stephen Ketner and his wife, Deanna of Olathe, KS, John Ketner and his wife Carol of Quincy, MA and Saundra Ketner of Quincy, MA. Adored grandfather of Jessica Ketner of Braintree, MA, Ryan Ketner of Quincy, MA, Lawrence (Scottie) Ketner of Olathe, KS, and Kiwi Madison and her husband, Roger of Topeka, KS and great-grandfather to Emily Ketner of Olathe and Atlas Madison of Topeka.
Loving stepfather to Juanita Copley and her late husband Chet of Muskegon, MI, Valerie Beeman and her husband, Joseph of McKinney, Texas, John Varian and his wife Deborah of Palm Springs, CA and Virginia and her husband Wayne Bauer of Jacksonville, FL and their children and grandchildren.
Cherished brother to the late Dr. Jerold Ketner and his wife Sue of Dodge City, KS. Loving uncle to Kandra Conant and her husband, Merrill of Dodge City, KS.
Francis followed in the footsteps of his father in name and in ministry. Francis was an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene where he served over 45 years. His ministry covered many states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Kansas (Topeka and Ft. Scott), Virginia, and Illinois. Francis trained for the ministry as undergraduate at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA and as a seminarian at the Nazarene Theological Seminary Kansas City, MO.
After retiring as a church pastor, Francis continued his ministry as the chaplain at the Brookdale Senior Living Center for 12 years ministering to residents of all faiths.
Francis was never one to sit still and served as the always friendly crossing guard at the Prince of Peace School in Olathe. Francis was a favorite of the students, faculty and parents as he could always bring out a smile.
Francis' commitment to young people began early in his ministry as he served as the Boy's & Girl's Camp Director at Northeast Nazarene Campground in Maryland. Hundreds of children attended the camp each year.
Both Francis and his father, Francis Sr. were trustees at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA supporting the academic and spiritual growth of its students.
Due to the ongoing health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, all services will be held privately. Francis will be laid to rest at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A Memorial Service in celebration of Francis' life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Francis Ketner, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, Eastern Nazarene College, 23 E. Elm Ave. Quincy, MA 02170.