Obituaries

February 28, 1928 to July 7, 2014

SYLVANIA, OHIO – Ralph Waldo Fritz, 91, formerly of Knox and Winamac, passed away Monday, July 7, in Sylvania, Ohio where he had resided the past two years.

He was born Nov. 2, 1922 in rural Winamac, the son of E. Mark and Hazel Charlotte Scott Fritz. He married Marilyn Tiffany Capper on Dec. 8, 1946. They later divorced. He then married Irene Marie Talsma in 1970. She died Sept. 11, 2012.

Surviving are children Mark S. (Deb) Fritz of Indianapolis, Mac C. (Lesa) Fritz of Arizona, Matthew C. (Maryann) Fritz of Indiana, Cathleen S. (Mary) Fritz of Michigan; and Peter (K.K.) Fritz of Indianapolis. He is also survived by step-children: Dawn Beckering of South Carolina, Elaine (Dennis) Boxdorfer of Ohio, and Carole Fey of MIchigan. In addition, he leaves behind 24 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by daughter Connie K. Fritz Dust, grandson Ralph Nicholas "Nick" Fritz, brothers R. Marshall Fritz and John M. Fritz, and sister Mary Charlotte Dilts.

After graduating from high school at age 16, Mr. Fritz attended DePauw University on a full scholarship to study journalism. After his junior year he returned home to farm with his brother, John, and they raised purebred Duroc hogs. In 1960, he left farming and joined Farm Bureau Insurance, moving to Knox. He spent 29 years as Northwest Indiana regional sales manager. After retiring from Farm Bureau, he lived in Fort Myers, Fla., Holland, Mich. and Sylvania, Ohio.

He liked the outdoors, especially hunting and camping. He also enjoyed spending time with his children, coaching a championship Little League team and supporting his sons in Boy Scouts. He also loved to golf and was proud to score a hole in one. He and his wife were club champions at Bass Lake Country Club near Knox and at Bay Beach Golf Course in Fort Myers Beach.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Ducks Unlimited, the Humane Society or the La Salle Council of the Boy Scouts of America.