LeRoy Warren Kettering, 82, of North Platte passed away on July 25, 2026 at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

He was born on Feb. 15, 1944 in Pratt, Kan. to Cecil Earl & Dora Kettering. They later moved to Denver, Colo.

LeRoy left home at an early age and went to work north of Hershey with Lane & Kathleen Dikeman, helping with the dairy cows. He graduated from Hershey Public School where he met the love of his life, Dyette Erlaine Tillman.

LeRoy enlisted in United States Air Force in September 1964. After graduating basic training, LeRoy went to tech school at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas to become a jet engine mechanic for F-4C fighter jets. He was then stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida until October 1966.

LeRoy was transferred to Ubon Air Base, Thailand and continued his work on F-4’s with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. While in Thailand he had a TDY (temporary duty assignment) to Da Nang Air Base in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. LeRoy returned state side in Oct. 1967, he took a 30-day leave, married his high school sweetheart Dyette Tillman on Nov. 11, 1967, then they moved to Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho where he served until his discharge in September 1968.

LeRoy hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad the day after he got out of the military and worked for them for almost 40 years.

LeRoy and Dyette made their home North of Hershey close to Dyette’s parents, Garland & Florence Hazel Tillman. They treated him like their own son, and he loved them very much. LeRoy and Dyette had 58 wonderful years of marriage before Dyette passed away in January 2026. They had three children, DeAnna, Lee, and ReNae.

LeRoy is survived by his daughters, DeAnna Lafferty and ReNae (Travis) Ogden; grandchildren, Justin Lafferty, Kelsey and Kyle Gaskill, Tyler & Zoey Ogden, Colton & Samantha Ogden, Drew Ogden & fiancé Eryka Anderson; great grandchildren, William Ogden, Abigail Gaskill and Hazence Solko; and many other family members and friends.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his wife, Dyette; son, Lee Kettering; grandson, Matthew Lafferty; parents on both sides; and other family.

LeRoy was proud to receive a Quilts of Valor quilt on Nov. 11, 2024, and used it daily. His favorite saying since mom passed away was “Oh well, it don’t matter”.

Celebration of life services will be held at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home on Thursday, July 30 at 10 a.m. Burial will take place at 11 a.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell for both LeRoy and his wife Dyette. Fellowship and dinner will follow at the Hershey Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 1-6 p.m., with family being present from 5-6 p.m., Wednesday, July 29 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Sutherland Fire & Rescue or the charity of your choice. Online condolences and live streaming of the service maybe shared at adamsswanson.com.

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