Fritz, Lehrl A. 1904-1972

FRITZ, MARTIN, HAYS, MERRITT, SPARKS, BRIGGS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/30/2010 at 07:46:09

Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) Feb. 28, 1972

LEHRL FRITZ SERVICES HELD

Lehrl A. Fritz, 67, of the Bethel community, died suddenly Monday (Feb. 28) in Homerville, Ga. Mr. and Mrs. Fritz had been spending the winter with their daughter, Mrs. Joanne Merritt.

The son of Richard A. and Sarah V. Martin Fritz, he was born on the family farm Aug. 8, 1904. He attended the rural schools and later graduated from Grinnell High School with the class of 1923. He also attended Grinnell College.

He was married to Lucile Hays July 14, 1929. The couple had three children. Mr. Fritz was a well-known farmer in the Bethel community and had been a DeKalb seed corn dealer for many years. He was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church and had served his church in many capacities. He also had taught Sunday school class for a number of years and had helped in caring for the church and cemetery grounds.

He is survived by his wife Lucile; his three children, Mrs. Roger (Joanne) Merritt of Homerville, Charles R. Fritz of Newton and Steven L. Fritz of Minneapolis; two grandchildren, Martha Merritt of Homerville and David Fritz of Newton; his sister, Mrs. Roscoe (Bessie) Sparks of Lynnville; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Clifford, Wilburn, and Roy who died in infancy; and two sisters, Lessie Fritz and Mrs. Elna Briggs.

Funeral services for Mr. Fritz will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Grinnell United Methodist Church with the Rev. James E. Seibert, minister of the Danville United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Robert H. Gamble, minister of the Bethel United Methodist Church, officiating. Music will be provided by Mrs. Howard Macy.

Pallbearers will include his nephews, Collin W. Fritz, Richard M. Fritz, Willis C. Fritz, S. Eugene Fritz, Richard Briggs and Richard P. Sparks. Burial will be in the Bethel Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home until Friday morning and thereafter at the church. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Bethel United Methodist Church.