Sister Ruth Kettman, CSJ

In Loving Memory of Sister Ruth Kettman

Sr. Ruth Marie Kettman, CSJ, beloved sister and aunt, passed peacefully on November 10, 2025, at the Sisters of St. Joseph retirement center in Wheeling, WV, at the age of 84. As a sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sr. Ruth dedicated her life to serving God through education, championing the marginalized, and advocating for social justice.

Born on March 19, 1941, in Cincinnati, Sr. Ruth was called to spend her life serving God and others. She entered the Congregation at the Provincial Novitiate in New Orleans, LA, on September 8, 1959, professing her final vows in 1967. She earned her bachelor's degree in sociology from Thomas More College and a master's in theology from the University of Notre Dame.

Sr. Ruth joined her alma mater, McNicholas High School, first as a teacher, then an assistant principal, and later as a member of the Board of Education and Board of Trustees. From there, she poured herself into parish, campus, and neighborhood ministry at St. George Parish/Newman Center at the University of Cincinnati.

Sr. Ruth had a passion for helping the poor and underprivileged. She worked side by side with former Bengals Head Coach, the late Sam Wyche, on projects that gave hope to the poor and homeless of greater Cincinnati through the nonprofit Homemade. Her dedication to peace and social justice was a guiding force in her 10 years as Director of the Office of Justice and Peace for the Diocese of Covington, KY. This allowed Sr. Ruth to work on justice issues locally, regionally, and nationally. She was particularly passionate about her work to abolish the death penalty in Ohio, including her role on the board of the Ministry Against the Death Penalty.

Sr. Ruth enjoyed educating and working with young people, serving as an instructor and adjunct faculty member at Xavier University, Thomas More College, and Mount St. Joseph University, and later as Director of the Mt. Notre Dame Spirituality Center.

Sr. Ruth will be greatly missed by her family and fellow sisters. Sr. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Virginia Emma (nee Stockelman) and Eugene Joseph Kettman, her brother Robert Kettman, and sister-in-law Susan (nee Hannon) Kettman. She is survived by her sisters, Carol Blom, Ginnie (Roger) Wirmel, Judy (Bill) Jackson, and Jane (Jerry) Schwallie, and her beloved 12 nieces and nephews, 28 great nieces and nephews, and 13 great, great nieces and nephews. Her strength and love stretched easily to each of us, and we'll hold her memory close to our hearts.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 17, 2025, from 4:00-7:00PM at TP White and Sons Funeral Home, 2050 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 11:00AM at St. Thomas More in Withamsville, OH, followed by internment at Guardian Angels Cemetery in Mt. Washington.

In keeping with Sr. Ruth's lifelong mission, memorial gifts can be directed to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or Congregation of St. Joseph Retirement Fund.

We miss you dearly, Ruth. Thank you for filling our lives with love, light, and purpose. May you be at peace in the eternal embrace of the God you served so faithfully.