Clarence M. Fritz
MOUNT GILEAD — Clarence M. Fritz, 77, of County Road 123, Mount Gilead,
died Friday morning, Feb. 3, 2006, at the Morrow Manor Nursing Home in Chesterville.
He was a lifelong resident of Morrow County, where he was born Aug. 19, 1928, the son of Clarence M. and Hazel (Ritchey) Fritz.
On Sept. 21, 1947, Clarence married his loving wife of over 58 years, Mary (Jones) Fritz, on their home place where they lived their entire married life.
Clarence retired from Western Auto, where he was employed as a truck driver and fleet dispatcher. He had also been employed for many years at Sim’s Fertilizer, Division of Landmark, and the Morrow County Highway Department while working his farm. For many years, he also served Harmony Township as both the clerk and a trustee. Clarence was a member of the Harmony Chapel United Methodist Church, Chester Lodge 238 F&AM, and the Evelyn Chapter 146 OES, where he was very active serving multiple terms as worthy patron and other stations. In 1972, he was appointed as an Assistant Grand Sentinel OES. Clarence was also a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus and Aladdin Temple, AAONMS of Columbus. In recent years, Clarence took pleasure in eating out, feeding the birds, and playing with his faithful canine companions, Ginger and Sophie.
In addition to his wife, Clarence is survived by two daughters Patricia (Grove) Rinehart of Mount Gilead and Linda Fritz of Collierville, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Beth (Jeff) Gress of Granville and Shawn (Amy) Rinehart of Fredericktown; four great-grandchildren, Andrew and Sam Gress, and Luke and Ben Rinehart; and nieces and nephews.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Opal Fritz; and sister and brother-in-law, Annabell and Kermit Lewis.
The funeral service was this morning at the Craven Funeral Home, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead, with the Rev. Joe Sopher officiating. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery in Chesterville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Morrow County, 851 Marion Road, Mount Gilead, OH 43338; or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

