Donald H. Ketzler's Obituary
Donald H. Ketzler, age 93, of Salisbury, MA, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, December 2, 2024, in Andover, MA.
Born on June 3, 1931, in Yonkers, NY, he was the son of the late Walter and Anna (Jansen) Ketzler. Donald later moved to Eliot, ME, where he attended elementary through high school before pursuing higher education at the University of New Hampshire. There, he majored in piano and developed a lifelong passion for music.
Throughout his life, Donald found great joy in sharing his musical talents. As a young adult, he played in jazz bands, but his most enduring contribution was as the organist at First Calvary Baptist Church, a role he held for many decades. His music brought warmth and comfort to the congregation and to all who had the privilege of hearing him play.
Donald’s greatest accomplishment, however, came at his 90th birthday celebration, where he performed a piano concert, demonstrating his enduring love for music and his remarkable skill, even in his later years.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Patricia A. (Birenbaum) Ketzler; and his brother, Walter Ketzler.
Donald leaves behind his four children, Lisa Verrette, and her husband, Keith, of Andover, MA, Eric Ketzler and his wife, Faye, of Alton Bay, NH, Mark Ketzler and his wife, Phuong of Vietnam and D. Steven Ketzler and his partner, Ann Brown of Livermore, CA; 10 grandchildren, Zackery, Tyler, Kerri, Eric II, Alanda, Ian, David, Remy, Justin and Courtney; and two great-grandchildren, Hugo and Esme; and sister-in-law, Doris Ketzler of FL.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ketzler Family.
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