Kenneth C. Etcheson

Kenneth C. Etcheson, 97, of Canton, Ill., passed away peacefully on Friday, April 7, 2023, at Graham Hospital in Canton.

He was born on Aug. 5, 1925, in Bainbridge, to Raymond and Rosetta (Evans) Etcheson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Warren and Gerald.

Ken married Rosemarie Dickson of Bainbridge on March 9, 1946 in Long Beach, Calif. She preceded him in death in 2005.

Surviving are one sibling, Thursa Evens of Greencastle; three children, Steven Etcheson, Craig (Mychelle Balthazard) Etcheson and Chris (Kimberly) Etcheson, all of Canton; one grandchild, Erin Etcheson of Indianapolis; and his close companion of many years, Wanda Carmack of Canton.

Ken served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1951, stationed in San Diego. He graduated from Wabash College and earned a master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Iowa in 1955. He worked for the Graham Hospital Association as hospital administrator and CEO from 1959 to 1990, where he was known as Mr. E.

Mr. E. was a member of the American College of Hospital Administrators and was active in the Rotary Club of Canton. He also served on the board of trustees for the Parlin Ingersoll Library in Canton.

Ken loved the outdoors and working in his yard. He enjoyed alpine hiking, skiing and mountain climbing with his family.

He was a longtime member of the Wesley United Methodist Church of Canton and also attended the First Christian Church of Canton. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton. A visitation will be held the same day at the funeral home, from 1-3 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Shalom Renner will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded with Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory. A private burial of his ashes will take place at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery in Canton.

To view Kenneth’s DVD or to make online condolences, you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com.

Memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church of Canton or the First Christian Church of Canton.