Michael Ketcham

Michael Ketcham, 72, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away peacefully on the morning of February 24, 2023 at the Iowa Veterans Home. Per his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and a family-led celebration of life benefit & jam is being planned for March 25 in Creston, Iowa.

Michael Kent Ketcham was born June 5, 1950 to parents Harry and Marjorie (Millsap) Ketcham. He was one of three children born to their family and grew up in Osceola, Iowa. Mike attended Clark Community schools through 11th grade. After his graduation from Creston High School, he went on to attend SWCC and later Iowa State University, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Michael proudly served his country in the United States Air Force.

Michael was united in marriage to his first wife, Sharon French, in 1971. They later divorced. He married his second wife, Janice Hays, who has a daughter Niki, and they later divorced. On April 10, 2010, Michael was united in marriage to the love of his life, Tracey (Dormady), in Creston, Iowa at the First Christian Church.

Over the years, Michael was involved with music through and through. He was involved with many bands, the most memorable being Magic, Big Al’s Blue Busters and Captain Chaos. He worked at Moore Music, which later became Rieman Music, where he was a manager for many years.

In his free time, he loved to dabble in photography, which won him an honorable mention award from Iowa State Fair Photography for his frog picture. Additionally, Mike was awarded the National Veterans Arts and Music Inspiration award after competing in and winning a nationwide Veterans talent competition.

He loved to go for rides on his Harley and hosted his own radio show, Daddy’s Doghouse, for four and a half years. Mike never met a stranger.

Those left to remember and cherish his memory are his wife of 12 years, Tracey-Dormady Ketcham; his stepchildren: Taylor Monthei, Wade Monthei, and Billy Blish (Sally); his step-grandchildren: Owen Monthei, Vinnie Blish, Florence Blish, Levi Dalton and Jaden Pederson;

his siblings: Kirk (Sherry) Ketcham of Johnstown, CO and Martha Cox of Osceola, IA; his nieces and nephews: Matthew Ketcham of Arvada, CO, Meghan Ketcham of Lafayette, CO, Marianne (Chad) Hellums of Norwalk, IA, Christina (David) Ayers of Creston, IA and Abigail (Michael) Hostettler of Lee’s Summit, MO;

his great-nieces and great-nephews: Madeline and Charlotte Hellums, Jameson, Harrison, and Greyson Hostettler and Penelope Ayers; stepdaughter Niki Abildtrup (Scott); step-granddaughters: Kaci, Ryli, Halli; step-grandson, Brant and his aunt and uncle, Shirley and Derschel Pennock of Osceola, IA.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Marjorie Ketcham, his paternal and maternal grandparents and his brother-in- law, Ned Cox.

Memorials in Michael’s name may be directed in care of Martha Cox, 931 Lake Shore Drive, Osceola, IA 50213. Please make checks payable to Martha Cox and note in the memo: “Mike Ketcham’s Memorial Fund.” A “GoFundMe” page has been established to help defray funeral costs. A scholarship fund is also being established in Mike’s name to help further music students. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the cremation rites.