Charles W. Fritz

Charles W. Fritz

Charles W. Fritz, 94, of Long Run Road, Franklin Township, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in his home. His wife of 47 years, Melba V. (Steigerwalt) Fritz, passed away in July of this year.

He worked as a general foreman for 38 years at the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation before retiring.

Born in Weissport, he was a son of the late Willard and Arlene (Beaver) Fritz.

He was a 1948 graduate of Lehighton Area High School.

After high school, Charlie served in Korea during the war as a Morse code operator in the U.S. Army and was later honorarily commissioned as a Staff Sergeant.

He was a longtime member of Jacob's United Church of Christ, Weissport, where he served for many years on the Consistory, sang in the choir for many years and faithfully volunteered for activities throughout the years. He also made homemade sauerkraut for Jacob's annual sauerkraut dinner.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and a member of the Bee Keepers Association. He enjoyed taking fishing trips with Melba, friends and family to Canada.

Charlie was a member of American Legion Post 314, Lehighton, and for over 40 years was a member of the Franklin Township Planning Commission.

He was an N-Scale model railroad enthusiast, setting up elaborate platforms, taking them down after the Christmas season, and starting over each year with a new theme and layout. They opened their home for many years to local families to view and run the train sets.

Charlie and Melba were longtime former members of the Cypress Lanes Bowling League, Lehighton.

Surviving are stepsons, Richard "Butch" Strausberger Jr., and his wife, Monica, of Kunkletown, and Bruce Strausberger of Lehighton; four grandchildren, Jenni, wife of Michael Leiby, Alyssa, wife of Glen Cathers, Joseph Strausberger and Jesse Strausberger, and his wife, Tiffany, nine great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren and three nieces.

He was also predeceased by a stepdaughter, Judith Strausberger.

A special thank you to his fulltime nurse and caretaker, Rebecca Calmona.

Services: Funeral service 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26, Ben Salem United Church of Christ, 1965 Church Hill Road, Lehighton, with Rev. Eunice Hearn officiating. Interment with military honors will follow the service in Ben Salem Cemetery, adjacent to the church. Viewing 9-11 a.m. Friday in the church. Arrangements by Mayes-Melber Funeral Home, 200 Franklin St., Weissport. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name may be made to the Wounded Warriors, 600 River Ave., Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.