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Ralph Fritz Obituary
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Ralph Gordon Fritz, 97, of Winamac, IN passed away at Hickory Creek Winamac on Friday, October 18, 2024. He was born on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1927 in Winamac to the late Burley E. and Lydia Lucretia [Sparks] Fritz. Ralph attended Winamac Elementary School and High School.
At age 18, he was inducted into the Army. He spent six months in camp in Georgia and one year in Germany. On May 1, 1948, he married Charlene Olson in Winamac. They were married for 76 years. Ralph was owner of Fritz Fire Equipment and part owner of Snow White Laundry. He was a former President and worker at the Historical Society.
On June 13, 2015, Ralph received the "Quilt of Valor" for his military service. 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.
Ralph will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by:
Charlene A. Olson Fritz, Winamac, IN Wife
Darl Dean (Linda) Fritz, Winamac, IN Son
Jill Ann (Ed) Sowards, Allegan, MI Daughter
Gail Sue (William) Tetzloff, Winamac, IN Daughter
Amy Jo (Chris) Cantu, Winamac, IN Daughter
Daniel Fritz, Grandson
Kari Moore, Granddaughter
Megan Zimmerman, Granddaughter
Clay Ashby, Grandson
Jeff Tetzloff, Grandson
Brad Tetzloff, Grandson
Tami Gaillard, Granddaughter
Magdalena Hershman, Granddaughter
Shane Hounchell, Grandson
Molly Hounchell, Granddaughter
20 Great Grandchildren
4 Great-Great Granddaughters
Preceded in death by:
Burley E. and Lydia Lucretia [Sparks] Fritz, Parents
James Fritz Brother
Visitation will be from 12 Noon- 2 PM EDT on Tuesday. October 22, 2024 at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM EDT on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at Frain Mortuary in Winamac with Jon Frain officiating.
Burial will take place at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac, IN.
Memorial Contributions may be made Pulaski County Historical Society.
Online Tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ralph, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Cheri Hawkins
November 27, 2024
I (along with my co-workers) am heartbroken to read of Ralph's passing. I talked to Ralph many, many times over the years. He was so gentle and kind hearted, and you could tell by his voice that he always had a smile on his face. We looked forward to receiving his Christmas cards always adorned with a locomotive. And he always included words of kindness and encouragement with his payments. I've included a photo of a beautiful apple that he sent to me probably close to 30 years ago that is still in my office, along with the letter he mailed us to let us know he was finally retiring. He truly was a gem and will be missed. Please accept our deepest sympathy. Cheri Hawkins, Sand Hill Wholesale, Columbus, Ohio
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305 E. Main Street P.O. Box 248, Winamac, IN 46996
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