Earl Stephen Ketner

Become aware that there are no accidents in our intellectual universe. Realize that everything that shows up in your life has something to teach you. Appreciate everyone and everything in your life.
-Wayne Dyer

This is how Stephen lived his life.

A Memorial Service will be held on June 25, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church on South State Street in Lexington, with Rev. Matthew Miller officiating.

The family will greet friends from 10:00 – 11:00 AM prior to the service, at the church.

Earl Stephen Ketner was born on December 21,1950 in Cabarrus County, NC to Earl and Ruth Griffith Ketner.

He graduated from Lexington Senior High School, class of 1969,
and attended Ashemore Business school for 2 years earning a certificate in business.
Steve immediately followed his dad into the grocery business working at Winn Dixie. After he returned from the Army in 1973, he advanced to store manager for several Triad Winn Dixie stores.

He went on to work at Keebler Cookie company which later became Kellogg’s snack division and retired from there in 2017 after 30 years of service.

On November 9, 2014, he married his high school sweetheart after getting reacquainted after 50 years. Theirs was a true love story that was obvious to all with whom they came into contact. They shared a mutual respect and a deep love that was so evident in their eyes!After retirement he enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels, which he did twice a month. He and his two “brothers from other mothers”, Zane Winters and Don Perrell were great buddies checking in on each other every day. When he got sick, they were of great comfort to him and to his wife.

Stephen had a knack for making friends with everyone he met and created many friendships by networking during his grocery store days, friends he continued to see until his death.Stephen is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; a great niece; a great nephew; and his mother in law Margaret Beck whom he enjoyed joking with.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Charm Beck Ketner; daughters, Michelle Tuttle (Jason),
Jennifer Brinkley (Philip), Sarah Williams (Rodney), all of Lexington and Morgan Cecil Hardin (James) of Carolina Beach, NC; son Matt Cecil (Jody), of Conover NC; grandchildren, Madison and Colby Williams, Amelia, Lynlee, Parker and Grady Brinkley, Ella, Wade, Hayden and Reid Cecil and Nina Hardin; and sister Brenda Warren, of Liberty NC.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels of Lexington, Cancer Services of Davidson County or the Music Fund at 1st Lutheran Church.