Thomas J. “Tom” Ketchum
Thomas “Tom” Joseph Ketchum left our world surrounded by his loving family and was welcomed at the gates of heaven on January 5th, 2023.
He was born July 27th, 1947 in Springfield, IL to the late Charles Rex and Elva Louise (Smith) Ketchum. Growing up in Avon, Tom loved riding horses, playing football and causing mischief around the small midwestern town he was proud to call home. He inherited the gift of music from his father and loved performing as a drummer in his band, Mogen David and the Grapes of Wrath. He served in the United States Marine Corp as an Aerial Photographer from 1968-1972. Upon returning home, he became a lobbyist for CIPS in Springfield and proudly served as Chairman of the Prairie Capital Convention Center for 4 years.
He was an entrepreneur, operating several successful beauty salons and tanning spas in Springfield and Quincy before purchasing the Casino Lanes Bowling Alley and Starlite Terrace in 1985 that he managed for
37 years. Tom became an advocate for the sport of bowling and helped change the face of Casino Lanes by adding music and automatic scoring to name a few improvements. He turned the Starlite into a nightclub, bringing in bands like Bachman Turner Overdrive, Cheap Trick and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. In addition to hosting hundreds of weddings, parties and events, he also brought in numerous Big Bands for Sunday afternoon dances and hosted bi-weekly line dancing nights.
Tom enjoyed fishing, golfing, and bowling as a younger man until his illness forced him to take up the hobbies he came to love even more: reading and music. He was an avid fan of G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, Mark Twain and Flannery O’Connor. The man had a gift of being able to retain almost everything he ever read or heard, and he loved teaching any and every one about any and every thing, especially as it pertains to theology and politics. If you didn’t have at least an hour to spare, the chances of walking away from the conversation (or lecture) before that were minimal. You knew he cared and respected you if you spent more than five minutes in his presence. He had a beautiful singing voice and a deep love and respect for “music when music used to be music.” We knew where he was in the building by listening for his whistling of old gospel or country tunes. If you stopped by his office, you could find him tapping his fingers on the desk along to bands like Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, Huey Lewis, funk, rock, country or gospel.
Tom was a man who would give you his last dollar and the shirt off his back, but never expected anything in return. Anyone that knew him understood his bark was worse than his bite. He was strong, genuinely kind, wise beyond measure and a friend to all: the true definition of a patriarch. Not only will his family miss his guidance and quick wit, but his presence will be missed by the entire bowling community and many others throughout the city of Quincy.
He committed his life to Patricia Paul in 1983. In addition to Patti, Tom is survived by four daughters: Nicki (Vivian) Benjamin, Christina Diane (Warren) Woodward, Lisa Ann (Kenneth) Gower all of Quincy, and Lauren Elizabeth (Philip) Coughlin of North Aurora. Tom was “Pa-Pa Tom” to seven grandchildren: Kyle Callarman and Tarryn Benjamin, Kayleigh Ketchum, Emily and Ryan Gower, and Caroline and Jillian Woodward. He is also survived by four nieces, one aunt, one uncle, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Robert Joseph Ketchum in 2008.
Memorials in Tom’s honor can be sent to St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church or the Blessing Foundation/Teresa Adams House fund.
Duker Haugh Funeral Home will oversee arrangements. The visitation will be Tuesday January 10th, from 4:00 – 7:00pm. Funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday January 11th at 11:00am at St. Francis Catholic Church with military rights following at Calvary Cemetery.
My sincere condolences to all of Tom’s family and friends. Tom was as a unique individual as you’ll ever encounter and one of the most knowledgeable and well read people I’ve known in my lifetime. He was a friend and supporter for over 40 years and I shall miss him a lot. The bowling community lost a real champion with his passing.
Deepest sympathies to the family.
Sorry to hear this. Praying for everyone.
Patti and Family – Thinking of you with thoughts and prayers.
Thoughts with the family. Tom was a joy to be around. Fond memories of being at the bowling alley when my family bowled or was there bowling for fun. Also there for line dancing and teen dancing events. Have fun with Swede.
Our condolences to the family.
I am so sorry to hear about Tom’s passing. He was a great guy and will be missed by many! I bowled at the casino and knew Tom and Patty from there. Patty, you are in my thoughts and prayers!!
Tom. Thanks for your generosity and your employing me when times were tough. My condolences to Patti.
Mr. Ketchum was such a great supporter of our high school’s Music Departments in Quincy. He generously offered his facilities to QHS for our Pops Concert Banquet and he and his wife helped us with many fundraisers and events! He was always so patient with students and supportive of their activities! Many fond memories were made during All Night parties, wedding receptions and reunions. Some of our first FPA meetings were held there as well.
May your memories continue to be a blessing for everyone during this difficult time.
Tom will be missed by a lot of people he was a good person. He also was a good bowler going to miss seeing him pop in and out of the bowling alley prayers going out to the wonderful family and his friends.
Tom (and Patti) are great people. I’ve been going to the bowling alley for over 30 years. My son has worked there approximately 6 years, started helping out with parties, then at 17 running the counter. Tom and Patti always treated him like another son. My son and I appreciated and respected Tom greatly. WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. Condolences to all of the family.
Dearest Patti, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Tom. You know I always appreciated the two of you and what you did for bowling. I feel as if I spent half of my week bowling at the Casino. Tom and you made everyone feel welcome and appreciated when they came through the doors. Quincy and your family lost a good man. Please accept my sympathies to you and the girls.
Just a wonderful person, will be dearly missed