1918
Jorma
2014
Jorma R. Keto
May 9, 1918 — March 20, 2014
Jorma Raymond Keto, 95, of 15021 Maryland Line Road in Greencastle (Coseytown), Pa. died Thursday, March 20, 2014, at Homewood in Williamsport, Md., with his daughter by his side.
Born May 9, 1918, in Salem, Mass., he was the son of Onni and Hilja (Korhonen) Keto, formerly of Finland.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the love of his life, Julia Helen (Wickholm) Keto, in 2007. They were married May 9, 1943, in New York City while he was in the Army.
He is survived by his children, Karlen Keto of Yarrowsburg, Md., Hilkka Brucksch (John) of Smithsburg, Md., and Raymond Keto (Joan) of New Bern, N.C.; eight grandchildren, Autumn, Erik, Megan, Elizabeth, Juliana, Matthew, Evan and Diana; five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, and his brother, Wally of Oneonta, N.Y.
Ray grew up on Emmons Farm in Oneonta, N.Y., graduated in 1936 from Oneonta High School and graduated in 1940 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., with a degree in mechanical engineering.
He served in the Army during World War ll, stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground researching ordnance. He received the Army Commendation Medal for his work there.
After the war, he returned to RPI in pursuit of a doctorate in physics, and taught there.
Ray was as a research scientist at Harry Diamond Laboratory in Washington, D.C.
Tiring of city life, he fulfilled his dream of retiring to the country.
He was proud of his Finnish heritage, speaking the language throughout his life and connecting with relatives throughout Finland.
However, Ray would tell you that the restoration of his 1923 Durant was his proudest accomplishment. Except for the nickel plating, he did all of the work himself and won many top awards, including the Antique Automobile Club of America President’s Cup. He drove his Durant to Detroit, Boston and many shows in between, determined to not put it on a trailer for a single meet.
He was a member of The Finlandia Foundation, Mensa, AACA, Veteran Motor Car Club of America and Disabled American Veterans.
Burial will be in his family plot in Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta.
Arrangements were handled by Harold M. Zimmerman and Son Funeral Home, Greencastle.
Born May 9, 1918, in Salem, Mass., he was the son of Onni and Hilja (Korhonen) Keto, formerly of Finland.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the love of his life, Julia Helen (Wickholm) Keto, in 2007. They were married May 9, 1943, in New York City while he was in the Army.
He is survived by his children, Karlen Keto of Yarrowsburg, Md., Hilkka Brucksch (John) of Smithsburg, Md., and Raymond Keto (Joan) of New Bern, N.C.; eight grandchildren, Autumn, Erik, Megan, Elizabeth, Juliana, Matthew, Evan and Diana; five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, and his brother, Wally of Oneonta, N.Y.
Ray grew up on Emmons Farm in Oneonta, N.Y., graduated in 1936 from Oneonta High School and graduated in 1940 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., with a degree in mechanical engineering.
He served in the Army during World War ll, stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground researching ordnance. He received the Army Commendation Medal for his work there.
After the war, he returned to RPI in pursuit of a doctorate in physics, and taught there.
Ray was as a research scientist at Harry Diamond Laboratory in Washington, D.C.
Tiring of city life, he fulfilled his dream of retiring to the country.
He was proud of his Finnish heritage, speaking the language throughout his life and connecting with relatives throughout Finland.
However, Ray would tell you that the restoration of his 1923 Durant was his proudest accomplishment. Except for the nickel plating, he did all of the work himself and won many top awards, including the Antique Automobile Club of America President’s Cup. He drove his Durant to Detroit, Boston and many shows in between, determined to not put it on a trailer for a single meet.
He was a member of The Finlandia Foundation, Mensa, AACA, Veteran Motor Car Club of America and Disabled American Veterans.
Burial will be in his family plot in Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta.
Arrangements were handled by Harold M. Zimmerman and Son Funeral Home, Greencastle.
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