Dave Kettlehut Is Jefferson County’s February Veteran Of The Month

By Doug KapkeDave E. Kettelhut was honored as Jefferson County’s Veteran of the Month for February by county commissioners on Tuesday morning, February 10, 2026. He was also presented with a handmade, patriotic wall hanging by Rory Rosener.Kettelhut is the son of Walt and Dorothy Kettelhut. He grew up on the family farm northeast of Hubbell. He graduated from Chester High School in 1964.Kettelhut had a high draft number and chose to enlist in the US Navy. He served in the Navy from January 1, 1966, until October 22, 1969. He received his training in San Diego and was then was assigned to the air craft carrier USS Ranger. It served in support of ground troops in the Vietnam conflict. On board, his duty station was in the engine compartment. While Kettelhut served on the Ranger, the USS Pueblo was attacked by North Korea in international waters but near North Korea. The Ranger was sent to the area to provide support. The incident was resolved and the Ranger returned to the Vietnam area.After eighteen months, Kettelhut requested a transfer and was then assigned to the USS Jennings County, upon which he served for the next 14 months. The Jennings was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. The ship’s primary responsibility in Vietnam was to secure the area and river patrol and support operations on the Saigon River. Providing support for helicopter landings, electrical and mechanical work were several of Kettelhut’s responsibilities.Several months before his four-year enlistment was completed, Kettelhut was stationed on the destroyer, the USS Samuel N. Moore, off the coast of Washington State harbor. The Moore was a training vessel for Naval Reserve personnel while making cruises to Alaska.Kettelhut completed his active duty on October 22, 1969. During his service to his country, he received: National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea). Following his honorable discharge, Kettelhut attended Nebraska Technical College in Milford. He graduated in July of 1971 with a degree in Air Conditioning Technology.On September of 1971, Kettelhut was discharged from reserve duty with a rank of MM2, (E-5). After graduating from Milford, he worked for Mike Martin at Anything Electric. He married Sharon Flatung of Fairbury in April of 1974. They moved to Paris, Tennessee, where he worked for Lingl Corporation as an electrician installing automated brick handling equipment. They traveled extensively during that time across the United States, Canada and Mexico. While still on the road, the couple purchased a farm in Kansas, which Harold Siegel managed. In 1979, they moved back to Fairbury and purchased 80 acres and a house east of Fairbury.Kettelhut worked for Endicott Clay Products as their head electrician until he retired in 2013. They raised three sons and now have seven grandchildren. Throughout this time, they have maintained a cow-calf operation which continues on to this day. He remains an active member at his church and keeping up with the activities of his sons, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren.

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