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Service

Friday, July 3, 2015
11:00 AM EDT
St. Aloysius Parish
403 Merrit St
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 258-2752

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

VA Hospital
2489 Diplomat Parkway East
Cape Coral, FL 33909
Web Site

Hospice House of your choice

Life Story / Obituary


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Frederick Edward Fritz, 95, passed away peacefully at Hope Hospice in Cape Coral, Florida on Saturday, May 9, 2015.

He was born to Carl and Margaret (Rebone) Fritz, April 21, 1920 on the family farm in Fife Lake.

He was a great husband and father who worked hard to raise his family of seven children along with his loving wife Dolores. He instilled his hard work ethics and sense of humor into each of his children.

An avid hunter and fisherman he learned how to survive with a gun and fishing pole during the Great Depression. Fred proudly served his country, during World War II with the 57 Bomb Wing as a U.S. Army Air Corps mechanic on the B-25 Mitchell, he was stationed in Algeria, North Africa, Tunisia and Corsica.

On June 25, 1946 he married Dolores E. Malbouef, the love of his life. He was involved in many activities and organizations during his long life, including Knights of Columbus, Boys Scouts, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Ducks Unlimited, National Reamer Association and the National Rifle Association. He loved to work with his hands, building and remodeling homes in his spare time.

He worked for thirty years as a machinist and he retired from Cone Drive Gears and spent the next several decades golfing and wood carving. He carved a variety of ducks and loons and even after he lost his vision to macular degeneration, he continued to carve alligators by feeling the wood.

Frederick is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dolores; children, Ronald Fritz of Fife Lake, Patricia Hobson (Ott) of Lake Ann, Richard Fritz of Fife Lake, Donald Fritz of Alma, Georgia, Carol (Steve) Hector of Oakdale, Pennsylvania, Barbara (Russell) Morris of Ft. Myers Florida; son-in-law, Patrick Reicha of Traverse City, daughter-in-law, Kathy of Day, Florida; eight grandchildren; ten great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; and one great-great-granddaughter; sisters, Dorothy Bever, Mary Hendges, Anna Newmarch; in-laws, Helen Fritz, Russ and Dolly Hanselman, Barbara Kimbler, Daniel and Judy Malbouef; nieces, nephews and extended family to whom he was “Dad”.

He was preceded in death by daughter, Katherine J. Reicha; great-granddaughter, Natalie A. Reicha; his parents; brother, Edward, sisters, Matilda Ely and Rita Gauld; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Bever, Fred Hendges, Walter Ely, Garth Gauld and Don Kimbler.

Fred leaves his family and friends love, laughter, a zest for life and will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be July 3, 2015 at 11 a.m., at St. Aloysius Parish, Fife Lake. A luncheon and celebration of life will follow.

Memorials may be directed to the VA Hospital, Cape Coral, Florida, or Hospice House of your choice.