James L. Fritch, 90, Jasper
James L. Fritch, 90, of Jasper, passed away at 8:05 a.m. on Monday, February 17, 2020, at home.
Jim was born in Jasper on February 22, 1929, to Albert and Otillia (Heldman) Fritch. He married Patricia Seger on April 19, 1952, in Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper.
Jim was a 1947 graduate of Jasper High School. He attended Georgia Tech on a scholarship, where he played basketball and baseball. He earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. He was a United States Army veteran, serving during the Korean War. Jim worked in the woodworking industry as a quality control manager for DMI and retired as a manager at Jasper Chemical Coatings. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper, American Legion #147, V.F.W. Post #673, Jasper German Club, and the Knights of Columbus, where he was recognized as the oldest surviving 4th Degree Knight. He enjoyed playing cards, genealogy, golfing, and most of all playing ping-pong with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Fritch of Jasper; five children, Dave Fritch, Karen (Bill) Sermersheim, Mike (Jane) Fritch, Dan (Sara) Fritch, and Andy Fritch, all of Jasper; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death are one sister, Viola Grewe, and two brothers, Jerome and Paul “Whop” Fritch.
A Mass of Christian Burial for James L. Fritch will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2020, in Holy Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper. The V.F.W. Post #673 will conduct military graveside rites.
A visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper, Indiana, and one hour before services from 9:00 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m. service time at the church on Thursday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church and/or to the Maryknoll Missionaries.
Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. It was always nice to have lunch at Headquarters with him.he was a great role model. Mike & Pat Hochgesang
Jim was a great companion to me, as I am a 1st cousin and grew up in his family for some 9 years when his parents took me in. (His mother and my dad were sister/brother) Jim was a very good Father and Grandfather, and I know he will be missed by all who knew him.
I offer my sympathy to Patricia and all the family. My memories of Jim are mostly when we were youngsters and Jim & Paul visited us on the farm or I visited them in Jasper but those occasions were few. I remember one time that Jim and Paul visited us on the farm and I was showing them how to plow corn with a cultivator. Those corn rows took a beating but left me with found memories. May he rest in peace for he will be missed.