Richard “Dick” S. Kettles of East Lansing, a leader with a heart of gold, died on July 9, 2015 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing at the age of 87. He was a Valentine gift from God to Cora and Albert Grant Kettles on February 14, 1928.
Armed with a High School Education from J. W. Sexton in 1946, he started his career working for Paul Automotive. At the age of 28, along with his brother Charles Kettles, were the youngest holders of a Ford Motor Company Franchise in 1956 when they formed Kettles Ford Sales in DeWitt. In 1962, he along with his partners formed General Aviation Inc. at Capital City Airport in which Dick was President until 1999 when it was sold. In 1983, Dick along with his partner Michael Dow started Classic Aircraft Corporation at Capital City Airport to create some much needed jobs in the Lansing area. Classic Aircraft for many years was the only FAA certified aircraft manufacturer in a seven state area and still operates today out of Battle Creek.
In 1997, Dick received an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science in Business Administration from Cleary College. For many years he was a member of the Lansing Rotary and The Quiet Birdman. As a commercial rated pilot he enjoyed flying many different types of airplanes over a long aviation career. In his retirement years Dick loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.
Dick was preceded in death by his daughter Shirley Klunzinger and brothers James and Robert Kettles.
Surviving are his wife of 67 years Becky Kettles, son, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Dick’s two brothers .
Visitation will be held on Monday at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home at 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing from 2 PM to 4 PM and from 6 PM to 8 PM and one hour prior to the service. A Funeral Service will be held at 11: AM at the Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Bunge officiating.
The family of Richard Kettles would like to thank Dr. Larry Rawsthorne, Dr. Muhammad Hamdan and all the nurses at Sparrow Hospital who helped Dick enjoy many extra years of life while he battled leukemia. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Cancer Center of Sparrow Hospital.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman East Lansing. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com
Armed with a High School Education from J. W. Sexton in 1946, he started his career working for Paul Automotive. At the age of 28, along with his brother Charles Kettles, were the youngest holders of a Ford Motor Company Franchise in 1956 when they formed Kettles Ford Sales in DeWitt. In 1962, he along with his partners formed General Aviation Inc. at Capital City Airport in which Dick was President until 1999 when it was sold. In 1983, Dick along with his partner Michael Dow started Classic Aircraft Corporation at Capital City Airport to create some much needed jobs in the Lansing area. Classic Aircraft for many years was the only FAA certified aircraft manufacturer in a seven state area and still operates today out of Battle Creek.
In 1997, Dick received an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science in Business Administration from Cleary College. For many years he was a member of the Lansing Rotary and The Quiet Birdman. As a commercial rated pilot he enjoyed flying many different types of airplanes over a long aviation career. In his retirement years Dick loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.
Dick was preceded in death by his daughter Shirley Klunzinger and brothers James and Robert Kettles.
Surviving are his wife of 67 years Becky Kettles, son, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Dick’s two brothers .
Visitation will be held on Monday at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home at 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing from 2 PM to 4 PM and from 6 PM to 8 PM and one hour prior to the service. A Funeral Service will be held at 11: AM at the Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Bunge officiating.
The family of Richard Kettles would like to thank Dr. Larry Rawsthorne, Dr. Muhammad Hamdan and all the nurses at Sparrow Hospital who helped Dick enjoy many extra years of life while he battled leukemia. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Cancer Center of Sparrow Hospital.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman East Lansing. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com
Richard “Dick” S. Kettles of East Lansing, a leader with a heart of gold, died on July 9, 2015 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing at the age of 87. He was a Valentine gift from God to Cora and Albert Grant Kettles on February 14, 1928.
Armed with a High School Education from J. W. Sexton in 1946, he started his career working for Paul Automotive. At the age of 28, along with his brother Charles Kettles, were the youngest holders of a Ford Motor Company Franchise in 1956 when they formed Kettles Ford Sales in DeWitt. In 1962, he along with his partners formed General Aviation Inc. at Capital City Airport in which Dick was President until 1999 when it was sold. In 1983, Dick along with his partner Michael Dow started Classic Aircraft Corporation at Capital City Airport to create some much needed jobs in the Lansing area. Classic Aircraft for many years was the only FAA certified aircraft manufacturer in a seven state area and still operates today out of Battle Creek.
In 1997, Dick received an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science in Business Administration from Cleary College. For many years he was a member of the Lansing Rotary and The Quiet Birdman. As a commercial rated pilot he enjoyed flying many different types of airplanes over a long aviation career. In his retirement years Dick loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.
Dick was preceded in death by his daughter Shirley Klunzinger and brothers James and Robert Kettles.
Surviving are his wife of 67 years Becky Kettles, son, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Dick’s two brothers .
Visitation will be held on Monday at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home at 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing from 2 PM to 4 PM and from 6 PM to 8 PM and one hour prior to the service. A Funeral Service will be held at 11: AM at the Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Bunge officiating.
The family of Richard Kettles would like to thank Dr. Larry Rawsthorne, Dr. Muhammad Hamdan and all the nurses at Sparrow Hospital who helped Dick enjoy many extra years of life while he battled leukemia. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Cancer Center of Sparrow Hospital.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman East Lansing. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com
Armed with a High School Education from J. W. Sexton in 1946, he started his career working for Paul Automotive. At the age of 28, along with his brother Charles Kettles, were the youngest holders of a Ford Motor Company Franchise in 1956 when they formed Kettles Ford Sales in DeWitt. In 1962, he along with his partners formed General Aviation Inc. at Capital City Airport in which Dick was President until 1999 when it was sold. In 1983, Dick along with his partner Michael Dow started Classic Aircraft Corporation at Capital City Airport to create some much needed jobs in the Lansing area. Classic Aircraft for many years was the only FAA certified aircraft manufacturer in a seven state area and still operates today out of Battle Creek.
In 1997, Dick received an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science in Business Administration from Cleary College. For many years he was a member of the Lansing Rotary and The Quiet Birdman. As a commercial rated pilot he enjoyed flying many different types of airplanes over a long aviation career. In his retirement years Dick loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.
Dick was preceded in death by his daughter Shirley Klunzinger and brothers James and Robert Kettles.
Surviving are his wife of 67 years Becky Kettles, son, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Dick’s two brothers .
Visitation will be held on Monday at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home at 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing from 2 PM to 4 PM and from 6 PM to 8 PM and one hour prior to the service. A Funeral Service will be held at 11: AM at the Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Bunge officiating.
The family of Richard Kettles would like to thank Dr. Larry Rawsthorne, Dr. Muhammad Hamdan and all the nurses at Sparrow Hospital who helped Dick enjoy many extra years of life while he battled leukemia. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Cancer Center of Sparrow Hospital.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman East Lansing. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com
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