I like the heroic figure in history and have posted a few obituaries of "great men" to the Shop over the years. But let's not forget the common soldier, sailor, airmen and marine, especially the WWII veterans and increasingly the "lost" veterans of the Korean War. Today they die peaceful, natural deaths, thanks to their efforts and the young men and women who died while they lived. These old guys survived and helped build a nation.

Here's one.

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Jack Caldwell Ketner Sr.
Jack Caldwell Ketner

HICKORY - Jack Caldwell Ketner, Sr., 89, of Hickory, passed away on Monday, March 17, 2008 at Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley.

Born on October 31, 1918 in Cabarrus County, he was the son of the late Lily Mae Phillips and Archibald Caldwell Ketner.

Mr. Ketner was an active member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Hickory.

He was a double retiree, retiring from active duty and reserves after 21 years. A veteran of WWII, he was a Lt. Col. in the US Air Force and participated in D-Day as a C-47 pilot. After retiring from the Air Force he was a teacher and principal for 27 years in the Hickory Public School System before working the last 18 years as a realtor with Thompson & Associates.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Gladys Alley Ketner and brother, Arnold Hugh Ketner.

He is survived by two daughters, Kathy Rihani and husband Fuad of Hickory, Margaret Aycock and husband Mike of Wake Forest; a son, Jack C. Ketner, Jr. and wife Bonnie of Greensboro; two sisters, Melba Ketner Stirewalt and husband Charles, Mary Alice Ketner Carpenter and husband Lowell; a sister-in-law, Helen Ketner, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Service: A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Andrews Lutheran Church with Pastor Richard Fritz officiating. The body will lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

Visitation: The family will receive friends at the church from 10-11 a.m. in the Newton Hall.