Herbert E. Fruth

Holgate - Herbert Eugene Fruth, 97, of Holgate, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Vancrest of Holgate. He was born on June 23, 1928, to William H. and Catherine (Agler) Fruth of Napoleon. Herb honorably served our country in the United States Army during the Korean War. On February 27, 1954, he married the love of his life, Arlene Joyce Hire, who preceded him in death on February 28, 2006. He was a lifelong member of St. John's United Church of Christ of Holgate.

Herb was a farmer for his entire life. On his farm, he raised various crops, hogs, and typically kept a Jersey cow. He was scrupulous about maintaining his farmland by enhancing the drainage systems and generally making the land more productive. At age 95 he could still be found spraying the ditch banks from his Gator.

His first priority was his family. He worked hard to provide a roof over their heads and space for his wife to have a garden and an orchard to sustain them. He enjoyed giving his grandchildren rides on the tractor and taking them to see the baby barn swallows.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Rick (Jane) Fruth and Sandy (Amy Ingram) Fruth; grandchildren, Emily Fruth, Katie and Jake Ingram and step-granddaughter, Caitlin (Brad) Armstrong. He was also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents and his wife, Arlene, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Evelyn Brubaker, Marjorie Savage and Marcella Brink.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at St. John's UCC of Holgate (I-946 St. Rt. 108) from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with funeral services following at 11 a.m. with Reverend Jeff McCarn officiating. Burial will take place at the church cemetery followed by a lunch in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be considered to St. John's UCC Shalom Food Pantry or the Henry County Senior Center Meals on Wheels Nutrition Program. Friends are invited to share a memory of Herb and sign the online guestbook at www.hoeningfuneralhome.com.