Ezekiel S. Ketchum

Ezekiel S. "Zeke" Ketchum, 68, of Sedona Lane, Spring Township, a former president and CEO of Meridian Bancorp Inc., died of natural causes Feb. 14 at 3:08 p.m. in his residence.

He was the husband of Barbara J. (Frank) Ketchum.

Born in Louisville, Ky., he was a son of the late Paul A. and Elizabeth (Sargent) Ketchum. He was also predeceased by his stepmother, Frances B. (Blaser) Ketchum.

Ketchum was president and chief executive officer of Meridian Bancorp Inc. from 1986 until his retirement in 1995. In 1984, he became vice chairman of Meridian Bancorp. He had previously been executive vice president of American Bank, the predecessor to Meridian, since 1978..

He previously served as vice president of Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, for 24 years.

Ketchum was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading.

He was a 1953 graduate of Mount Lebanon High School, Allegheny County, and received a bachelor's degree in economics in 1957 from Harvard University.

Ketchum was an Army veteran.

He served on the board of directors at Reading Hospital and the Lutheran Home at Topton, where he was a member of the President's Circle.

Ketchum was school board director of the Bethel Park School District, Allegheny County, from 1969-78.

He served on the board of the Pennsylvania Economy League and the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, where he was president from 1992-93.

Ketchum was a member of the advisory board of the United Negro College Fund's 1992-93 campaign in Philadelphia.

He was president of the United Way of Berks County in 1986 and 1987, receiving the Wilbur W. Doran Memorial award in 1990.

Ketchum received the Silver Beaver award from the Hawk Mountain Council of Boy Scouts of America, and the Presidents award in 1993 from Reading Area Community College.

He was honored in 1992 by the Berks County Chamber of Commerce as the Outstanding Large Business Leader of the Year.

Ketchum is also survived by two sons, Randolph F., Manheim Township, Lancaster County, and Clayton S., Washington Depot, Conn.; and two daughters, Allison A. (Ketchum) Kalbach, Cumru Township, and Sarah J. (Ketchum) Reilly, Exeter Township.

Other survivors include a brother, John A., Wellfleet, Mass., and a sister, Elizabeth C. (Ketchum) Noling, Santa Barbara, Calif.

There are also 10 grandchildren.

Memorial services will be Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church. Viewings Wednesday evening 6:30 - 8:00 pm in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading and Thursday morning 10:30 - 11:30 am in the church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to American Cancer Society 498 Bellevue Ave., Reading, Pa 19605 or Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue Inc., PO Box 2321, Sinking Spring, Pa 19608.