Rev. Father John Ketchum, Protopresbyter, fell asleep in the Lord on April 8, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and love for Christ and His Church.
Fr. John was born in Suffern, New York, in 1969, and was baptized at Zoodohos Peghe Greek Orthodox Church in the Bronx, NY. In the early 1970s, he moved with his family to New Jersey, and in 1979 relocated to Port St. Lucie, Florida. He graduated from Ft Pierce Central High School in 1987.
He later moved to Orlando, Florida, where he attended the University of Central Florida, graduating in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations. Although he initially planned to enter the United States Air Force through the ROTC program as a commissioned officer, he discerned a calling to the holy priesthood, which led him to pursue theological studies.
Fr. John attended Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1995. That same year, he married Veronica Menis in Flushing, New York.
He was ordained to the diaconate in June 1996 in Flushing, NY, and to the holy priesthood in July 1996 in Ft Pierce, Florida. His first assignment was as Associate Pastor at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, Illinois, where he served from 1996 to 2002.
In 2002, Fr. John was appointed Proistamenos (Head Pastor) of Kimissis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Racine, Wisconsin, where he served faithfully until 2015. He then served as Head Pastor of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Milwaukee from July 2015 until September 1, 2019, before returning to Kimissis in Racine, where he continued to serve his beloved parish until his falling asleep.
Throughout his ministry, Fr. John was recognized by the Holy Orthodox Church with several ecclesiastical honors (offikia): he was named Father Confessor in 2007, Oikonomos in 2011, and elevated to the dignity of Protopresbyter on September 19, 2021. Since 2017, he has also served as the spiritual advisor to the Orthodox Christian Women’s Association (OCWA) in Wisconsin.
Fr. John was deeply involved in the life of the Church beyond his parish. He served as President of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Clergy Syndesmos from 2014 to 2018, having previously served as Secretary from 2008 to 2014. He was also a representative of the Metropolis of Chicago on the Archdiocese Presbyter’s Council (2014–2018) and served on the Metropolis Council from 2008 to 2018. In addition, he was a board member of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Brighton, Wisconsin, from 2012 to 2019.
Fr. John is survived by his beloved wife, Presvytera Veronica, and their six children: Matushka Katherine (Fr. John) Thetford, Evangelia (Vanya) Larsen, Michael, Alexander, Sophia, and Elizabeth; and his cherished grandchildren: Evangeline, Gregory, and Anne Thetford; and Anthony, Justina, and Theodore Larsen.
He is further survived by his mother, Kathryn Beasley, and his father, Vincent Ketchum, and was predeceased by his stepfather, Subdeacon Ron Beasley.
He is lovingly remembered by his brother, Tyler (Jennifer) Ketchum; his sister, Kara (Stefan) Katzaras; his sister-in-law, Erika (John) Gavras; and his brother-in-law, Nicholas (Joanne) Menis, along with many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and Godchildren.
Fr. John and Presvytera Veronica made their home in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, where he continued to serve the faithful with dedication and joy.
Fr. John will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his pastoral care, and his deep love for his family and his parish communities.
May his memory be eternal.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Kimissis tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, 1335 S. Green Bay Road, Racine, WI, with Trisagion prayers at 7:00 p.m. Orthros and Divine Liturgy will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Kimissis tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, followed by funeral services at 11:30 a.m.
Interment will immediately follow in St. John Chrysostomos Greek Orthodox Monastery Cemetery, Pleasant Prairie, WI.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kimissis Greek Orthodox Church, and/or St. John Chrysostomos Greek Orthodox Monastery, Pleasant Prairie, WI, in Fr. John’s memory.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Fr. John, please visit our Tree Store.
Events
Visitation
Monday, April 13, 2026
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Kimissis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church
1335 S. Green Bay Road Racine, 5340 53406
Trisagion Prayer 7:00 p.m.
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Funeral Service
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
11:30 am
Kimissis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church
1335 S. Green Bay Road Racine, 5340 53406
Orthros will begin at 8:00 a.m., followed by Divine Liturgy
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Final Resting Place
St. John Chrysostomos Monastery Cemetery
4600 93rd Street, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
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