Lawrence Simon Ketter resided in Charleston, Arkansas, departed this life on Saturday, March 14, 2009, at the Covington Court Health & Rehab in Fort Smith. He was born November 27, 1919 in Westphalia, Kansas to the late Peter Jacob Ketter and Ida Mary Jeck Ketter. He was 89 years old.

He was a former Bartender in East Peoria, Illinois, was an Army Staff Sergeant veteran of WWII, was a Purple Heart recipient, awarded 3 Bronze Stars, member of the VFW Post # 2078 in East Peoria, Illinois and was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Charleston.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Johnnye Nichols Ketter and two brothers, Andrew Ketter and Arthur "Art" Ketter.

Rosary service will be 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 16, 2009, at the Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Charleston, with Father Peter Sharum, O.S.B. officiating, with burial at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, with "Military Honors", under the direction of the Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Charleston.

He is survived by three nieces & eight nephews.

Pallbearers will be Andrew Ketter, Charles Ketter, Jr., Joe Ketter, Lance Ketter, Scott Jones and David Jones.