Madelyn "Lynn" Kettering

Madelyn Rose “Lynn” Kettering, 84, of Rushville, passed away at 6:28 AM, Friday, April 26, 2019, at the Rushville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rushville.

She was born on September 21, 1934, in Bronx, New York City, New York, the daughter of William Leroy and Johanna (Lovaglio) Schneider.  She married B. Douglas Kettering, who she had met at a USO dance in New York City.  They were married on October 16, 1954, at the Westchester Methodist Church, in the Bronx, New York City, New York.  He preceded her in death on Thursday, August 27, 2015.

Surviving are three children Pamella Diane Tavernier of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kerry Kevin Kettering and wife Joyce of Frederick, and Lisa Dawn Kettering of Rushville, six grandchildren Brittany Heinz-Amborn and husband Tyler, Jonathon Douglas Klas Reynolds and wife Joy, Sierra Jockisch and husband Steve Jones,  Kristy Jo LeBegue and friend Art , Johanna Bigley, and Brandon LeBegue, two step grandchildren Jennifer Banks and Sean Tavernier and wife Erin, 14 great grandchildren Vincent Heinz-Amborn, Miles Heinz-Amborn, Mason Banks, Ryan Banks, Joe Tavernier, Sam Tavernier, Zoey Foster, Emmi Foster, Austin Taylor, Alexis Taylor, Tyson LeBegue, Madison LeBegue, Greg Carrell and Ezekiel Reynolds, two sisters-in-law Peggy Meyer and husband Wilbur of Arenzville, and Connie Markley and husband Bob of Marbletown, one brother-in-law Sidney Kettering and wife Susie and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two sons-in-law Vince Heinz and John Tavernier.

Lynn attended Pace College in Manhattan, New York City, New York, studying business administration.  She first worked as a cashier at Klines Department Store.  Later she worked in the shoe department of Alexander Department Store and at Barr Brothers all in New York City prior to her marriage.

After her marriage, she and Douglas lived in Norfolk, Virginia, where she worked as a bookkeeper at Risotto Marine and Colonial Finance.  In 1957, she and Douglas moved to Rushville.  Doug brought Lynn to the family farm with hopes of converting her to a farm wife.  She brought with her a New York City accent, high fashion and heels-turning heads in Schuyler County.  She adapted to country life, applying her business savvy to run the farm with Doug, but her fancy hats, lipstick and heels endured.

She then worked for Silver Thimble in Rushville and the Cass County Health Department.  During this time she attended Western Illinois University, where she would earn a Bachelors in Science Degree in Home Economics, Summa Cum Laude, with an emphasis on Gerontology.  She later would serve as a substitute teacher for Schuyler District # 1, and at various schools in Brown, Cass and Fulton Counties.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rushville, where she sang in the choir and played bells.  She was also a member of the Schuyler Home Extension Home Makers and the Twilight Square Dancing Club.  She was a volunteer with the Brownies, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and at Culbertson Memorial Hospital.  She enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, playing the piano and cooking.  She was a card shark and was a champion Som-R-Set player.  She and Douglas enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii and Spain.  They would spend winters in Wauchula, Florida.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville.  Following the visitation, services will be held with David Haney officiating.  Private interment will be in the Boling Cemetery, east of Rushville.  Memorials are suggest to the RIHS Music Boosters or the Culbertson Memorial Hospital Foundation.