John Michael Kettell

Aug. 22, 1974-Dec. 24, 2014

Longtime Homer resident, Mr. John Michael Kettell, 40, died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2014, at his home in Homer.  

A celebration of John Michael’s life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015,  at Bishop’s Beach in Homer.  

Mr. Kettell was born Aug.22, 1974, in Elmira, N.Y. He graduated from Homer High School in 1992. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Alaska Anchoarge. He has lived in Alaska since 1976, living in Tanana and Fairbanks for a short while before moving to Homer. John Michael worked for Fred Meyer in Anchorage for a bit and was a member of the St. John Catholic Church in Homer. He volunteered for the respite program, football, baseball and track. He loved collecting old comics, baseball cards, and loved music and playing folk guitar.  

The family wrote, “He always said his daughter Emmalin was his heart. Jason his ‘Bro’ was always his closest and trusted friend. You always saw them together growing up. He could always make you laugh. John was close to his mother and Tom. He would always try to help. John was so sensitive and kind. He always tried to analyze life. He was a big guy with a big heart.” 

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Kettell. 

He is survived by his daughter, Emmalin Taylor Kettell of Fairbanks; parents, Elizabeth and Tom Tymrak of Homer; brother and sister in-law, Jason and Jeanne Kettell of Anchorage; and nephews, Bruce and Salem Kettell of Anchorage.  

A memorial fund has been set up for John Michael’s daughter Emmalin Kettell with the Alaska USA account  No. 1489083. You can donate to any local Alaska USA if you so desire.

Arrangements made by the Homer Funeral Home & Cremation Services.  Please sign John Michael’s online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com.