O’FALLON — Marna Sue Rutledge Kettwich, 59, O’Fallon, born Oct. 1, 1951, in Arthur, passed away Thursday (Sept. 1, 2011) at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Schildknecht Funeral Home, O’Fallon. A celebration of life service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church of O’Fallon, 1111 E. Hwy 50, O’Fallon, with the Rev. Doug Munton officiating. Burial will be at O’Fallon City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Marna may be made to the John and Sarah Rutledge Scholarship Fund at the State Bank of Arthur.

Marna attended First Baptist Church of O’Fallon for the majority of her adult life. A graduate of Arthur High School in 1969, Marna continued her education at McKendree University, where she was a member of the Alpha Omega Society, graduating magna cum laude in 1973 with a double-major in English education and history. While at McKendree, Marna, affectionately known as Marn, met her loving husband Paul. In 1977, she earned a master of arts degree in counseling from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

For 37 years, Marna forged an extraordinary career in human resource management for the U.S. Air Force. During her career, she held senior leadership positions that set the course for developing human resource management across the Air Force for many years to come. Her tremendous efforts did not go unnoticed. Over her 37-year career, Marna received numerous awards, including the distinguished Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award, Exemplary Service Award and the Major Command Specialist Award.

During her retirement ceremony, Marna’s achievements were recognized by President Barack Obama, Congressman Jerry Costello and the commander of the Air Force Network Integration Center. Because of her unselfish loyalty, patriotism, commitment and dedication, she has touched the lives of so many. Marna retired in April 2011 as chief, Manpower & Personnel Division, Air Force Network Integration Center.

Marna was religiously devoted to living life to its fullest. The source of her strength was her love of God, family, friends and work. She enjoyed helping others, reading, decorating the home and shopping. She was an avid fan of O’Fallon Township High School and McKendree University athletics, the Illinois Fighting Illini and the St. Louis Cardinals, in spite of the fact that the majority of her family consists of Cubs fans.

Marna was preceded in death by her parents, John A. and Sarah E. Greene Rutledge, and father-in-law, Wayne F. Kettwich.

She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Paul D. Kettwich, O’Fallon; two sons, Dane A. Kettwich, Rockville, Md., and Kellen M. Kettwich, Shiloh; mother-in-law, Marjorie Kettwich, Minonk; a brother, Michael (Mary Ellen) Rutledge, Arthur; a sister, Margo (Jerry) Blaudow, Tuscola; a brother-in-law, John (Marcia) Kettwich, Minonk; a sister-in-law, Janet (Shawn) Hall, Bloomington; and nieces and nephews, Sarah Rutledge and Elizabeth Rutledge, both of Arthur; Kendra (Todd) Pence, St. Joseph; Cortney Blaudow, Chicago; Susan Rutledge and John Jared (Cara) Blaudow, both of Arthur; and Stephanie Hatten, Bloomington.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.schildknechtfh.com.