Lauretta "Torchie Sulkin Wooddell

Lauretta “Torchie” Sulkin Wooddell passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on April 2, 2021.

Lauretta Mae Ketchum was born on January 25, 1928 in Ohio City, OH. She was preceded in death by her twin brother, Lee Roy Ketchum who died at birth; her parents Frank and Gladys Ketchum; her brother Lloyd Ketchum; husbands, Joseph R. Sulkin; Marlin “Whitey” Wooddell; son, Randy E. Sulkin and long-time companion, Jack Pisel.

She is survived by children, Jerry (Linda) Sulkin of Keizer, OR; Sharon (Chuck) Gorby of Columbus, OH; Danny Sulkin of Port Clinton, OH and Cathy (Roger) Heidenescher of Port Clinton, OH. She is also survived by daughter-in-law, Barbara Sulkin of Lima; grandchildren, Jennifer Stover of Columbus, Heather (Greg) Gorby of Columbus, Jason (Shannon) Heidenescher of Columbus, Luke (Melissa) Heidenescher of Marysville, Julie Clementz of Lima, Adam (Wendy) Dodge of Rossville, GA; Michelle Buehler, Heather Jolly and Denise Kohler of the Lima Area, Joseph (Merrill) Sulkin and 19 great grandchildren.

Torchie, who received her nickname from a school mate because of her red hair, worked in retail at the Lima Mall for over 40 years at Abrahams, Brooks, The ID, Paul Harris and finally Christopher and Banks. She was a member of Forest Park United Methodist Church in Lima, a member os Sigma Beta Zeta sorority for over 60 years and a member of the Eagles 370.

She was always a great dancer and a lover of music. She loved playing any kind of games but especially loved Yahtzee and Solitaire. She was always a sharp dresser due to her many years working in clothing stores and was and “accessoryholic”.  Her favorite room in the house was her kitchen and she cooked up a lot of our favorite dishes on a shoe-string budget when we were growing up. She was a tough woman having raised 5 kids, persevered through various health issues in her later years including open-heart surgery at the age of 81, and the loss of her son, Randy in 2013.

A loving thank you to all the staff at the Vineyard on Catawba. They cared for mom like she was their own mom.
She will always and forever be in our hearts. Rest well Momma and we’ll see you later.

Visitation will be Friday, April 9, 2021 from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. with the service at 3:00 P.M. at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Pastor Tim Benjamin will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rita’s Hospice 959 W. North St. Lima, Ohio 45805 or St. Jude  donors@stjude.org 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.

Burial of ashes at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery.