Dana Fry

Dana Fry East Leroy Dana Gale Fry, age 74, of East Leroy, died November 8, 2008, surrounded by his wife and children. Dana was born in East Leroy, MI to John and Evelyn (Aldrich) Fry on June 3, 1934. The day he was born was a record hot day. He lived his entire life in the Fulton and East Leroy area. Dana graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1953. He played football in high school, where he also met his first wife, Alice. He started working for the Kellogg Company at the South Plant, right out of high school. He retired in April of 1989. Dana served on the Athens Area School Board for a number of years during the 1970s and early 1980s. He presented diplomas to all of his children. He was a 4-H leader for the Knights of the Trail Horse Club for many years. Horses were one of his passions. Many longtime friends were made through the horse community. Dana was married to his first wife, Alice (Snyder) on December 4, 1954. They bought a farm in East Leroy in 1959, and raised their family there. Together they had four children, Beth (Larry) Burgett, Zane (Kerry) Fry, Margo (David) Cummins and David (Lori) Fry. Alice passed away November 20, 1995. Dana married Sue (McPherson) on September 19, 1997. Together, they built a new home and life, bringing Sue's girls into the family, Jill (Scott) Wise, Melanie (John) DeKruyter, Melissa McPherson, and Jenny (Chad) Porter. Altogether, he had 14 grandchildren, and one on the way, and 4 great-grandchildren, Eric Parnell, Sarah Korn, Elaine Burgett, Heather Boone, Amber Fry, Jessica Bartholomew, Michael, Travis and Levi Fry, Gavin and Allison Wise, Brynn and Kate DeKruyter, and Piper Porter. Great-grandchildren are Ruby Korn, Ivy and Finn Parnell, and Ayda Boone. All of Dana's children and grandchildren live within a 50 mile radius, except for USMC Sgt. Michael Fry who is stationed in Iraq. Dana was a great "Bumpa", and loved all his grandchildren very much and loved to have them around. Dana was an older brother to Nancy (Doug) Robertson, Phillip (Jeanne) Fry and Mary (Jerry) Merritt. Dana was a longtime member of North Athens Baptist Church, later moving to the Wakeshma Community Church in Fulton. He served many years as Sunday School Superintendent, and on the Church Board as a member and elder. Memorial service will be Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at 3:00 p.m., at the Wakeshma Community Church in Fulton, MI. Family and friends can meet with the family after the service in the church gym. Per his wishes, cremation has already taken place. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Wakeshma Community Church for kitchen refurbishing needs, in memory of how he enjoyed a good, home cooked meal. Life Story Funeral Homes, Vicksburg. 649-1697.