Alice Ketchum
Granite City | Save
Alice Mae Ketchum, 83, of Granite City, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Christian Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
Born on February 23, 1942, in Granite City, Alice was the beloved daughter of the late Richard Harold Dickerson and the late Dorothy Mae (Schoffra) Ely. A woman of strong faith and generous heart, Alice devoted her life to caring for others. She retired in 2005 after 25 years of dedicated service as a certified nurse assistant in home health care. Her compassion continued as she worked as a senior companion from 2006 to 2013, offering kindness and companionship to many. She also worked as a courier for Lanter for six years.
Alice was a devoted member of Calvary Life Church in Granite City, where her faith and fellowship brought her great joy. She loved animals—especially her cherished fur babies—and found happiness in traveling, had a love for Tennessee, shopping, yard sales, gardening, home decorating, and reading.
She was united in marriage to William Reynolds on January 3, 1979; he preceded her in death in 1980. Later, she married Mancel “Sonny” Ketchum on October 13, 2012, at Calvary Life Church; he also preceded her in death on August 14, 2013.
Alice’s greatest joy came from her family. She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend who always gave of herself to provide a better life for her loved ones.
She is survived by four children and their spouses, Kathleen and Mark Whitehead of Collinsville, Christopher and Jeannie Garriott of Granite City, David Garriott of Crossville, Tennessee and Terri Crystal and Dino Clifford of Granite City.
She is also survived by six stepchildren: Lori Havens, Linda Coles, Lisa Brooks, Louise Sandberg, Katherine Sweeney, and Sonja Ketchum-Hackman; nine grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and five sisters: Paulette Cheetum of Marion, Carol Ann Burlingame of Mulberry Grove, Nancy Seisser of Lewisburg, Tennessee, Mildred Cathey of Granite City, and Diane McPheeters of Johnston City. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
In addition to her parents and husbands, Alice was preceded in death by her two brothers, David Lee Ely and Gary Wayne Ely.
In celebration of her life, visitation will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City. Reverend Mark Maynard will officiate. Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery on Nameoki Road in Granite City.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Life Church or the Granite City APA and will be accepted at the funeral chapel.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.irwinchapel.com.
Irwin Chapel Funeral Home
