Ruth Wallace Ketzel 1922-2026

Ruth, as she was always affectionately known, was born Ella Ruth Wallace to Raymond and Ella Wright Wallace on the family farm in Frizzleburg, Pa., on Sept. 25, 1922.

Her father died in a farming accident when she was only 2 years old, and she was raised by her mother and stepfather, Charles V. Mack.

Ruth was a graduate of New Castle High School and of Jameson Hospital School of Nursing in February 1945.

Ruth married Harry John “Jack” Ketzel on Dec. 20, 1947. They were happily married until his passing on Nov. 23, 1995.

During World War II, Ruth joined the U.S. Army as a cadet nurse and served at Deshon Army Hospital. After graduating from the Army nurse camp, she was en route aboard the USS Republic to serve with 750 other nurses in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, when the war ended. She returned to serve as second lieutenant at WM Beaumont Army Hospital until her discharge in August 1946.

Ruth worked as an RN office nurse with Dr. Jim Hinkson and Dr. T.A. Grauel. She also worked as a plant nurse at Rockwell International in New Castle, Pa. She volunteered for the American Red Cross and at Jameson Hospital in New Castle, Pa.

Ruth had been a member for over 60 years at Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church in New Castle, where she had served as a deacon and was a member of the Irvine Bible class, as well as the Prime Timers. She enjoyed fellowship with Wimodausis at the New Castle Masonic Cathedral in New Castle and was also a member of the Jameson Shenango Alumni Association.

Since 2015, Ruth had made new friends and participated in various activities at Shepherd of the Valley-Poland.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Wallace and Jean (Bixler) Ketzel; grandchildren, Michael (Gabriel) Kohler, Andrew (Jeannine) Kohler, Jonathan (Hailey) Kohler, Natalie Nemenz-Keenan and Mark Nemenz; as well as 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ruth was preceded in death by her daughter, Amy Lynn Kohler; her brother, Glenn Wallace; her half-sister, Patricia Mack Cox; and stepsisters, Alice Mack Hudak and Betty Mack Whiting.

A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, with visitation at 10:30 a.m., in the chapel at Shepherd of the Valley, 1501 Tibbetts Wick Road, Girard, OH 44420, with Pastor Christine Briggs.

Arrangements are being handled by the Davis-Becker Funeral Home, Boardman.

(special notice)