Mary Lorain (Shobe) Kethe
September 15, 1927 – March 5, 2015

Mary Lorain (Shobe) Kethe, 87 years, 5 months and 18 days, of rural Lancaster, Missouri passed away at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri on Thursday, March 5, 2015 after an extended battle with various health issues.

The daughter of James Robert and Lena Lucinda (Ayer) Shobe, she was born on September 15, 1927 in rural Downing, Missouri. On November 7, 1948, at the Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Charles Herman Kethe by Reverend Ben Bradbury and to this union 5 children were born, Henry James, Charles John, Kathy Jo, Teresa Joy and Jeffrey George.

Survivors include her husband, Charles H. Kethe of Lancaster, Missouri; children, John Kethe and wife, Connie of rural Lancaster, Missouri, Kathy Jo (Jodie) Starrett and husband, Dennis of Lancaster, Missouri, Teresa Joy Wheeler and husband, Danny of Lancaster, Missouri and Jeffrey George Kethe of Lancaster, Missouri; 6 grandchildren, Jamie Kethe, Nicole Parsons and husband, William, Samantha Kethe, Spencer Starrett, Abby Oberman and husband, Tony and Jacquelyn Wheeler; 5 great grandchildren, Tierney Lonberger, Lane Parsons, Trayton Buckallew, Mason Parsons and Casey Starrett; 5 nieces, a host of friends, neighbors and church family.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Lena Shobe; 1 son, Sergeant Henry James Kethe who died serving his country in Vietnam and 1 sister and brother-in-law, Wilma and George Johnson.

Charles and Mary have been married for 66 years. Mary was an active member in the Lancaster Baptist Church. She was a Christian wife, mother and friend, Sunday School Teacher and church leader. She spent her entire life helping others from a one-room school teacher, a church kitchen cook, Bible School teacher, mother of five and a nurse for ailing neighbors and relatives. She always had time to cook, clean, babysit, care for or just listen to whoever had a need.

Mary enjoyed time with family and friends and loved animals, flowers, sewing and her garden. God placed her among us and gave her a job to do and now He will say, "well done my good and faithful servant".
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Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at the Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, Missouri at 2:00 p.m. with Lonnie Johnson, Pastor of the Lancaster Baptist Church officiating. Music will be provided by Donna Welte, pianist and Joe and Susan Welsh, soloists performing special selections of "The Old Rugged Cross" and "How Great Thou Art". Pallbearers will be Rudy Beeler, George Kethe, David Fugate, Mikel Roberts, Tony Oberman and Stanley Martin. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2015 between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri. Memorials have been established for the Schuyler County Cancer Relief Fund. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Burial will be in the Arni Memorial Cemetery in Lancaster, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.