Delwin Ketterman, 1936-2012: Toledoan taught math for nearly 4 decades

Delwin Ketterman, 1936-2012

7/24/2012

Delwin Ketterman, who was a teacher for nearly four decades at schools in Ohio and Michigan, died Saturday in his second home in Marblehead, Ohio. He was 75.

Mr. Ketterman, who lived in Toledo, suffered a massive stroke July 14 and had been battling pancreatic cancer since February, 2010, said Susan Deller, one of his three daughters.

Mr. Ketterman taught mathematics, including algebra, geometry, and calculus, and it was a subject that he greatly enjoyed, said Elizabeth Harrold, another daughter.

"He loved math. He could understand math," Mrs. Harrold said. "I think he enjoyed teaching high school-age kids."

Mr. Ketterman liked working with the students and seeing them catch on to the concepts, enjoying the progress they made, said Emma Ketterman, his wife of 52 years.

He retired in 2007 from Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, where he was an assistant coach for various sports teams, including football, basketball, and track.

Mr. Ketterman began his teaching career in 1960 at Airport Community Schools north of Monroe after earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo.

He also taught at Scott High School and Bedford High School, his family said.

In retirement, Mr. Ketterman taught math classes for several years to college students on the Scott Park campus of the University of Toledo.

He graduated in 1954 from DeVilbiss High School, where he played football. He attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship, but returned to Toledo after a year. Mr. Ketterman played on the UT football team.

He married the former Emma Lisbeth Bowyer on June 11, 1960. Their daughters said they met while in college.

Mr. Ketterman and his wife loved to travel, and Maine, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Tennessee were among the places that they visited.

Mr. Ketterman also loved to fish and enjoyed boating.

Surviving are his wife, Emma; son, Paul Ketterman; daughters, Elizabeth Harrold, Susan Deller, and Sherri Ketterman; sister, Linda Skeeters, and eight grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Ansberg-West Funeral Home.

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday in Reformation Lutheran Church.

The family requests tributes to Memorial Hospice of Clyde, Ohio, or to Reformation Lutheran Church.

-- Mark Reiter