Ralph G. Fritz

Ralph Gordon Fritz, 97, of Winamac, passed away at Hickory Creek Winamac on Friday, Oct. 18. 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 wife Charlene A. Olson Fritz,   Winamac; son Darl Dean [Linda] Fritz, Winamac; daughters: Jill Ann [Ed] Sowards, Allegan, Michigan, Gail Sue [William] Tetzloff, Winamac, Amy Jo [Chris] Cantu, Winamac; grandsons: Daniel Fritz, Clay Ashby, Jeff Tetzloff, Brad Tetzloff and Shane Hounchell; granddaughters: Kari Moore, Megan Zimmerman, Tami Gaillard, Magdalena Hershman and Molly Hounchell; 20 great-grandchildren; and four great-great granddaughters. 

Preceded in death by parents: Burley E. and Lydia Lucretia (Sparks) Fritz; and brother James Fritz.

Visitation was from noon – 2 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac with Jon Frain officiating.

Burial took place at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pulaski County Historical Society.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

(Pulaski County Journal — Oct. 23, 2024)