Funeral Service Announced For Former Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief

NewsOn6.com

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma -- The funeral service for former Deputy Principal Chief John Ketcher is set for Friday, October 21, 2011.   

Ketcher passed away on Monday, October 17, 2011, he was 89. 

He served as Deputy Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation for ten years starting in 1985 and served several years on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council. 

Ketcher was recently honored as a Cherokee Nation National Treasure for his work in reviving the Cherokee tradition of mechanical loom weaving.  He served in World War II aboard the U.S.S. New Orleans as an anti-aircraft gunner.

"John Ketcher served our people well for many years," said Acting Principal Chief Joe Crittenden.  "He also served our country proudly and was a Navy veteran.  He was a valued elder and Cherokee speaker with invaluable knowledge. I was fortunate to count him as friend and cannot express how greatly he will be missed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time." 

The family requests that any gifts in his honor be made as donations to scholarships at Sequoyah Schools, Wounded Warriors Fund or to the Cherokee Historical Society. 

The service will be at 1 p.m. at Sequoyah Schools in Tahlequah.