Charles Ora Ketchem Sr., 88, of White Marsh and formerly of Great Bridge, Va., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016.

He was born in Varney, West Virginia, and was the son of the late William and Mae Ketchem. He retired from the Norfolk Naval Base as a public utilities foreman, and was a member of White Marsh Baptist Church. During WWII he served in the Merchant Marine.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Eloise Ketchem; his daughter, Janie Elizabeth Bailey, and his siblings, Jean, Joyce, Bill, Jim and Kenny.

He is survived by his son, Charles O. “Chuck” Ketchem Jr. and his wife Sheila of North; his siblings, Marguerite Fay Philmon and Danny Frank Ketchem; five grandchildren, Stephen Lee, Christy Beach, Emily Coleman, Carly Ketchem, and Ethan Ketchem; two great-granddaughters, Mary Beth Beech and Brittany Wright, and two great-great-grandchildren, Isaiah and Irelynn.

The family received friends at the funeral home from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, with funeral services starting at 10:30. Interment took place at 2 p.m. Saturday at Greenlawn Cemetery in Chesapeake, Va.

Memorial donations may be made to the Building Fund of White Marsh Baptist Church. 

Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, was in charge of arrangements.