MANSFIELD — Carl Fritz, 83, of Scott Drive died Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, at his home.
Carl was born April 25, 1926, in Lefor, N.D., to Stephen and Mary Grundhauser Fritz. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Japan. Carl moved to Mansfield in 1946. Carl worked at Westinghouse and was a self-employed contractor, owned and maintained rental properties and he and his wife were owners of a tavern. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 687, Father Clement Falter General Assembly 4th Degree, and a life member of the VFW Post 8586 in Perrysville.
Carl was born and raised on a farm in North Dakota where he learned the value of hard work and taught himself how to fix anything. He instilled these same values into his children. He was baptized and received his education at St. Elizabeth’s in North Dakota. He and his family spent many summers boating at Pleasant Hill and he enjoyed many winters traveling to Arizona and Florida.
Carl is survived by his wife whom he married on June 5, 1948, Catherine Callahan; four daughters, Judy (Harry) Waldman of Mansfield, Janie (Doug) Versaw of Mansfield, Karen (Gerry) Giordano of Jacksonville, Fla., and Jeannette (Ron) Foss of Lucas; three sons, Carl (Pom) Fritz of Las Vegas, Nev., Greg (Gina) Fritz of Henderson, Nev., and Joe (Rochelle) Fritz of Howard; 17 grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; four sisters, Betty Deardorff of Colville, Wash., Helen Kuhn of Dickinson, N.D., Ann Schneider of Dickinson, N.D., and Marie Schurke of Henderson, Nev.; and two brothers, Joe Fritz of Coeur D’alene, Idaho, and Wilford Fritz of Prior Lake, Minn.; and his faithful dog Fritzi.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Nathan Mecurio; brothers, Steve, Nick and Tony; and a sister, Eva.
Friends may call today from 4 to 8 p.m. at Herlihy-Chambers Funeral Home, 173 Park Ave. West. Vigil service will be held at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Mansfield Catholic Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Schools or MedCentral Hospice. Information is online at www.herlihy-chambers.com.
