Alan Kettunen Obituary

ASHTABULA – Aviation icon Alan Carl Kettunen, 75, passed away tragically Sunday, May 25, 2025 doing what he loved more than anything, flying a plane. He was born March 2, 1950 in Conneaut, the son of Reino Carl and Joycelyn (Blough) Kettunen and had been a lifelong area resident, growing up on the family farm in Andover. A 1968 graduate of Pymatuning Valley High School (the same year he got his pilot's license), he developed a love for aviation at the early age of 14 and began working with Al Gardner who was a well-known expert in the field. In 1982, he went into a business partnership with his friend Louis Feher and together they formed Kettunen Aeronautical at the Ashtabula County Airport where they specialized in flight training and aircraft maintenance. They later moved out to Germack Airport where the business remained to this day. He also worked at Burke Lakefront Airport as the Director of Aviation and Maintenance and as instructor and director at Premier Flight School in Cleveland. Over the years, Al taught countless people how to fly, rebuilt many planes from memory, and forgot more than most people will ever know about airplanes. He served as the Air Boss for the Annual D-Day in Conneaut coordinating all the flying of the T-51's and the Bomber that participated. He also assisted with many fly-overs for patriotic events and ceremonies throughout the area. He was active with the Rusty Pilots Association and a longtime aviation mechanic, flight instructor, and teacher known for fixing things that no one else could fix. He even met his wife, Christine, while giving flying lessons and married her on June 8, 2005. His lifetime commitment to aviation was honored in 2019 when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) presented him with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, a recognition highlighting professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise given to only one half of one percent of all pilots licensed in the United States. He also won the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award within a year of the Wright Brothers Award and became one of only 1000 people in history to have received both awards. Al was very humble and had a heart of gold. He also enjoyed his many cats that helped him oversee the property at Germack through the years. His survivors include three children, Roberta (Alfredo) Sifuentes, Kristina Joyce, and Jonathan Kettunen; Step-children, James Tredway, Michelle (Rich) Vanek, Michael (Amber) Tredway; step-grandchildren, Katelyn, Jesse, Taylor and Brendon; brothers, David Mark (Jackie) Kettunen of Connecticut and Leo (Rita) Kettunen of Euclid; sisters, Mary Bowlin of Columbus and Joycelyn (Martin) Heath and Rita J. Kettunen, both of Andover; numerous nieces and nephews; and countless friends and aviation colleagues. He was preceded in death by his wife, Christine M. Kettunen on September 6, 2021; brother-in-law, Don Bowlin; and his parents. A Celebration of Life gathering and fly-in will be held Sunday, July 6, 2025 from 1-4PM at the Northeast Ohio Regional Airport, 2382 Airport Road, Jefferson, OH. Friends and family will share some stories and words of remembrance at 3PM. Contributions in his memory may be made to The Estate of Alan Kettunen to establish a trust for his son, Jonathan. CHILDS-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 1071 SR 7, Pierpont, OH is assisting with arrangements. www.ducro.com