SSgt Bruce J. Ketzel, Sr.

SSgt Bruce J. Ketzel, Sr., 91, of Vancleave, MS passed away Monday, July 12, 2021 in Biloxi. Mr. Ketzel was a native of Dayton, OH and a resident of the coast since 1968. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran where he retired as Staff Sergeant. Mr. Ketzel was a member of Ramsay Hills Baptist Church in Vancleave. He was a former Deputy Sheriff for Harrison County and retired from the Harrison County Sand Beach Department. Mr. Ketzel was the first paid fireman for the D’Iberville Fire Department. He was a life member of the VFW Post 6731 in D’Iberville and a life member of the American Legion Post 33. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence F. and Genevieve Robinson Ketzel; his daughter, Jackie Mangin; his son, Timothy A. Waldrop; and his daughter-in-law, Lorraine Ketzel. Mr. Ketzel’s survivors include his wife, Deborah Kelly Ketzel; his children, Bobby Waldrop, Herschel (Deneen) Waldrop, Melony (Elvis) Gray, Melody (Jason) Jarrett, Linda (Ed) Lewis, Bruce Ketzel, Jr.; Genny (Kirk) Halstead, Rick (Debbie) Ketzel, Betsy (Charles Rene’) Bodin, John (Susan) Ketzel and Kathy Ketzel; his son-in-law, Eddie Mangin; 38 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made in Mr. Ketzel’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. A graveside service will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery on Monday, July 19, 2021 at 11:00 am. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi is honored to serve the Ketzel family.