Eva Pearl Ketner

  Eva Pearl Strouse Ketner, 88, of Port Charlotte, Florida, and formerly of Lancaster; went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Eva was born at home on February 15, 1935. She was the daughter of the late Doyle Frederick and Eleanor Lucas Strouse. Eva was the loving wife of the late Reverend James R. “Jim” Ketner who died in December of 2016.

  Eva began singing with her father’s family band at 14 years of age.  She played the guitar and the accordion and because of her strong voice, called movements for square dances, a very popular form of entertainment in her central Pennsylvania community. Eva never had formal musical training. She played and sang strictly by ear.

 Eva married James “Jim” Ketner, September 20, 1953. They moved to California where Jim was serving in the United States Air Force. When Jim felt called to the ministry, they moved to Pennsylvania and served in Mastersonville, Collier, and Saxton Brethren in Christ Churches. Eva was active in the churches with music and children’s ministries. Eva worked alongside Jim in all his ministerial duties.

 Eva and Jim also attended Child Evangelism Fellowship training; a 3-month commitment, in Warrenton, Missouri, and established Child Evangelism Fellowship good news clubs as part of their pastoral mission.  They also established an after-school tutoring and bible class in Saxton.  Eva was a recent attendee of Sonrise Baptist Church, Englewood, FL and Fellowship Church of Englewood, FL. She was a friend to everyone she met.

   Surviving are three daughters: Barbara Dyer (George) of Ephrata, Karen Olichwier (Hank), of Roanoke, VA, Joni Jankowski, Port Charlotte, FL, eight grandchildren: thirteen great grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, a brother, Reverend Larry Strouse of Newville, a sister, Audrey Oakes (Jack) of Center Hall, and a sister-in-law, Meriam Zellers of Englewood, FL.

  Eva is also survived by very special friends, Jim and Brenda Dietrich of East Petersburg.

  Preceding her in death in addition to her husband, and parents; is a son, Scott Eugene Ketner, two sisters: Arlene Kelly and Margie Stover; a brother, Jerry Strouse and sisters-in-law: Melba Strouse and Mary Shaffer.