Obituaries

April 17, 1927 to October 18, 2024

WINAMAC - Ralph Gordon Fritz, 97, of Winamac, passed away Friday, Oct. 18, at Hickory Creek Winamac.

He was born Easter Sunday, April 17, 1927 in Winamac to the late Burley E. and Lydia Lucretia [Sparks] Fritz. He attended Winamac Elementary and High Schools. At age 18, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and spent six months at camp in Georgia and one year in Germany. On May 1, 1948, he married Charlene Olson in Winamac. They were married for 76 years. She survives.

Ralph Fritz

He is also survived by:
Darl Dean (Linda) Fritz, Winamac, Son
Jill Ann (Ed) Sowards, Allegan, MI, Daughter
Gail Sue (William) Tetzloff, Winamac, Daughter
Amy Jo (Chris) Cantu, Winamac, Daughter
Grandchildren: Daniel Fritz, Kari Moore, Megan Zimmerman, Clay Ashby, Jeff Tetzloff, Brad Tetzloff, Tami Gaillard, Magdalena Hershman, Shane Hounchell and Molly Hounchell.
20 Great-Grandchildren
4 Great-Great-Granddaughters

Preceded in death by:
James Fritz Brother

Mr. Fritz was owner of Fritz Fire Equipment and part owner of Snow White Laundry. He was a former president and worker at the Pulaski County Historical Society. He received the “Quilt of Valor” for his military service on June 13, 2015. He has a room-sized layout of HO trains and made many kits from scratch. He loved mowing with his small John Deere tractor and woodworking. He attended Kewanna Church of Christ. He will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Oct. 22), at the funeral home with Jon Frain officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski County Historical Society.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.