2017 -- S 0873

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF WALTER KETTELLE, JR., AND

MEMORIALIZING THE DEDICATION OF AN ELKS LODGE HALL IN HIS HONOR

     Introduced By: Senator V. Susan Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: May 11, 2017

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, Walter "Dewey" Kettelle, Jr., a man who served our nation and state for

many decades with honor, integrity and devotion, passed away on February 14, 2017. He was the

loving husband of Judith A. Kettelle for fifty-three years; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Kettelle was born in South Kingstown, a son of the late Walter D. and

Bertha Kettelle. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and served our

nation with distinction and dedication; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Kettelle was a hard-working man and innovative leader who served as

the Director of Support Services for the North Kingstown School Department for 33 years; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Kettelle was a tireless supporter of charitable community organizations

within the South Kingstown community. He was a member of the South Kingstown Lodge of

Elks for 49 years, and served the Elks faithfully in a variety of positions and capacities. He served

as the Exalted Ruler of South Kingstown Lodge #1899, and was a Past President of the Rhode

Island State Elks Association. He also served as the Rhode Island State Director for the Elks

Hoop Shot Program, and as the New England Regional Director of the Elks Hoop Shot Program.

He was the highest ranking Elk from the State of Rhode Island; and

      WHEREAS, Mr. Kettelle served as a member and Secretary of the North Kingstown

FOP 33 for many years. He received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his service to

myriad community organizations, including being named State Elk of the Year by the Rhode

Island State Elks Association, being honored with the 2010 Elks National Foundation Permanent

Benefactor Award, being elected to serve as a Grand Lodge Inner Guard, and being appointed

special representative to several lodges in Rhode Island and attending over 30 national

conventions. He was also a recipient of the Presidential Award for Volunteering, and was a

faithful parishioner of St. Paul's Episcopal Church; and

     WHEREAS, On June 4, 2017, many people who knew and loved Mr. Kettelle will gather

in Wakefield, Rhode Island, at Elks Lodge #1899, for a special Hall Dedication in honor and

memory of Mr. Kettelle's life and in gratitude for his decades of service to the Rhode Island Elks

and the South Kingstown community; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Judith, Mr. Kettelle also leaves behind his daughters,

Katherine Johnson and her husband, Mark, and Deborah Gardner and her husband, George. He is

also survived by his siblings, Doreen Bailey, Barbara Huling, Thomas Kettelle, and Gene

Kettelle. He also leaves behind his five grandchildren, Emily, Grant and Sarah Gardner, Rachel

and Timothy Johnson, and two great-grandsons, Mason and Tyler; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby expresses its condolences on the passing of Walter Kettelle, Jr., and memorializes the

dedication of an Elks Lodge Hall in his honor; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Judith A. Kettelle and Family.

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