Fred Stritzel

JOHNSTON CITY -- Fred Stritzel, 99 years, 8 months, answered the call from God and went to his heavenly home to be with his wife of 72 years at 9:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, 2011, in Herrin Hospital.

He suffered for years with Black Lung disease. He was born Feb. 3, 1912 in Savage Creek, Ala., to Matthew and Rosalie Agnich Stritzel.

On May 14, 1935, he married the love of his life, Ruie Grant. They shared 72 years together. They have three children, Beverly Hawkins and husband Gary of Edwardsville, Wendell Stritzel and wife Michele of Marion and Brenda Hale and husband Larry of Charleston; grandchildren, Susan Johnson and husband Mike, Joel Williams and wife Julie, Mark Stritzel and wife Lisa, Kim Warner and husband Doug, Kellee Chapman and husband Tim, Wendee Gabby and husband Chad, Jeff Hale and wife Brandi and Heather LeMoine; great-grandchildren, Grant, Ryan, Evan and Ethan Hale, Shelby and Lindsey LeMoine, Brock and Bianca Johnson, Skylar, Connor and Jack Williams, Alex Hawkins, Codee Talbert, Allee Chapman, Emilee, Jacob and Elijah Warner, Kaitlyn Grant, Kennadee and Kassidee Gabby, Jordan and Nathan Stritzel.

Mr. Stritzel was employed by Zeigler 4 Coal Mine for 27 years when he retired in 1972. He was a Boy Scout Leader in the 1950s. He was a member of United Mine Workers of America, Woodmen of the World, the 31st Civil War Regiment and the First United Methodist Church of Johnston City. He had a cabin on Old River at New Haven, Illinois, where he and his family spent weekends and vacations from 1948 until 1987. He was a great fisherman and spent his spare time in a boat or along the bank teaching his son and grandsons how to follow in his footsteps. He caught them, he cleaned them, he fried them and we ate them! He was a master gardener all of his life beginning when he was a small boy in a large family of 12 children.

In his later years Mr. Stritzel became an Abraham Lincoln impersonator. He spent his spare time riding in parades, attending festivals, homecomings and fairs. His favorite Lincoln activity was going to elementary schools during Lincoln's Birthday celebrations and greeting children in his costume. All the younger kids thought he really was President Lincoln. His greatest pleasure was having those kids at age 30+ recognizing him and telling him about his visits at their school.

Mr. Stritzel is also survived by a brother, Joe Stritzel and wife Fern; and by double niece, Janet Chapman and husband Doug and double nephew, Joe Dean Stritzel and wife Pam; other nieces and nephews and special lifetime friends, the Spiller and Oliver families.

Preceding Mr. Stritzel in death were his wife, Ruie in 2008; his parents; brothers, Frank, John, Adolph, Matt, Pete, and Lawrence; and sisters, Mary Toler, Anne Dascotte, Katie Dascotte and Clara Huskey.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, in the First United Methodist Church in Johnston City, with the Revs. Ted A. Hartley and Robert Patterson officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today in the Murman and Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the American Lung Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or the church.