Gerald Dwayne Fritz

1947 - 2024

Gerald Dwayne Fritz
Jerseyville - Gerald Dwayne Fritz, 77, a proud Army veteran and devoted family man, passed away peacefully at 10:05 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at his home in Jerseyville, surrounded by the love of his family. Gerald was born on February 2, 1947 in Alton, Illinois to the late Dellon William and Mildred Irene (Gowin) Fritz. Gerald was raised in Jerseyville and graduated with the Class of 1965 from Jersey Community High School. Throughout his childhood, he learned early on the values of hard work, and enjoyed trips to the stock yards and hauling cattle and pigs with his father.
Gerald served his country honorably during the Vietnam War from 1966-1968. As a soldier in the United States Army, Gerald embodied the values of bravery, loyalty and service. His time in the military shaped the man he would become – resilient, disciplined and dedicated to protecting those he loved. The early values of hard work he gained from his father, coupled with the values he gained while in the service, led Gerald to finding his calling as an over-the-road truck driver. For decades, he crisscrossed the nation with steadfast dedication that mirrored his commitment to his country. Whether navigating treacherous mountain passes or the long stretches of interstate highways, Gerald was a consummate professional, known for his reliability and strong work ethic. Following his retirement, he continued to enjoy watching his fellow truckers from the comforts of his front window. Above all, Gerald was a man of Faith, Family and Country. He was a longtime and faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Jerseyville, where he served as a Sunday school teacher and lended his hand to various special projects throughout the years. His unwavering devotion to God was the cornerstone of his life, guiding his actions and decisions.
He married the former Pauline Powers on January 10, 1970 and together they were the parents of three daughters. He later married Elizabeth (Landon) Kanallakan on September 3, 1989 at the First United Methodist Church in Jerseyville, and from their marriage, Gerald gained two sons. With their blended family, Gerald and Liz taught them the importance of love, respect and unity. Together, they nurtured an environment where family bonds were strong, and everyone was encouraged to support one another. Gerald's influence on his family was profound, as he and Liz worked tirelessly to instill values that would carry through generations. From sporting events to dance competitions, and everything in between, Gerald was the biggest cheerleader and, at times, the harshest critic for his grandchildren, always pushing them to be their best. He reveled in their successes and offered sage advice during their struggles, leaving an indelible mark on their lives. To them, he was more than a grandfather – he was a mentor, a confidant, and a guiding light. A gifted handyman, Gerald could fix just about anything. Whether it was a leaky faucet, a broken fence, or a finicky engine, he approached every project with the same meticulous care and attention to detail that he brought to every aspect of his life. His hands, roughened by years of hard work, were capable of creating, repairing, and building, always leaving things better than he found them. Surviving are his wife of nearly 35 years, Liz Fritz of Jerseyville; five children and their spouses, Kari and Kit Crawford of Jerseyville, Goldie and Josh Roberts of Greenfield, Delsie and Andrew Eads of Jerseyville, John and Amy Kanallakan of Jerseyville and Andy and Nikki Kanallakan of Jerseyville; nineteen grandchildren, Brittany, Landon, Drake, Jacob, Riley, Dax, Eli, Maura, Gavin, Colby, Griffin, Jaren, Brogan, Ian, Lydia, Lincoln, Greyson, Jaxson and Carter; four great grandchildren, Ayden, Autumn, Augustus and Siddalee, with another on the way; a sister and brother in-law, Jennifer and David Prosser of Alton; a brother in-law, Bill Jackson; as well as his in-laws of the Landon family, all of whom he held a very special bond with: Harold and Myrna Landon of Carlinville, Mary Ellen Essington of Omaha, Nebraska, Janet and Carl Crawford of Jerseyville, Jeannie Landon of Chandlerville and David Landon of Jerseyville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father in-law and mother in-law, Harold and Lou Ellen Landon; a sister, Nancy Jackson; two grandchildren in infancy; two brothers in-law, Jerome "Jerry" Essington and Roger Landon; as well as a nephew, Jay M. Essington.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. until time of Funeral Services at 11 a.m., Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Jerseyville with Pastor Bruce Baumberger officiating. Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, with the Jerseyville American Legion Post #492 conducting full military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given the First United Methodist Church or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in care of the funeral home. "Roll on highway, roll along, Roll on Daddy, 'till you get back home, Roll on family, roll on crew, Roll on, Mama, like I asked you to do" – Rest in peace, Gerald, your journey on this earth may be complete, but your spirit will forever guide us. Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com