John Fries Obituary

John L. Fries

Aug 21, 1941 - May 25, 2024

Norwalk

John L. Fries, 81, of Norwalk, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, May 25, 2024, at Fisher-Titus Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

John was born Aug. 21, 1942, in Norwalk, to Clemence and Alice (Hohler) Fries. Graduating from St. Paul Catholic School in 1960, John began working as a loan officer for Citizen's National Bank. To follow his true passion of farming, John later transitioned to PCA in 1977 and then to Farm Credit and Ag Credit where he continued to serve as a loan officer for farmers in the surrounding communities. John enjoyed being a loan officer and this suited him and his sociable personality perfectly as he was also a life-long farmer, working evenings and weekends on the family farm.

Heavily involved in the community, John was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monroeville, member of Holy Name Society at St. Joseph's, and member and past President of Norwalk Kiwanis. He also served as past President of Norwalk Eagles #711, where he most proudly served as secretary for 25 years. To perpetuate and instill his love of agriculture in future generations, John served as a 4-H Advisor in Huron County for many years and he oversaw the fundraising efforts for many of the buildings at Camp Conger. John also organized the Kiwanis "A" Grade Banquet for 45 years in order to recognize the efforts of every 4-H member in Huron County. However, John was best known in the community for calling square dances at many social events for over 40 years.

A true family man, John most treasured the time that he spent with his beloved wife, Karen (Schafer), to whom he was married to for 59 years on May 15th, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who were all raised within five miles of John and Karen's family home that was built in 1965. John also loved to travel and after his retirement in 2005, together he and his wife traveled all over the world, both nationally and internationally, making sure to step foot in each one of the 50 states on their travels. John also loved a good Euchre game with the neighborhood card club and was always known to tell a story or two while playing.

There are no words to describe a man like John who touched the lives of many and will be loved and missed by everyone he knew.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Karen; six children, Tim Fries, Tammy Stang, Ted Fries, Betsy (Marc) Ruggles, Bob (Kristin) Fries, and Brian (Ashley) Fries; 18 grandchildren, Amanda (Aaron) Hass, Anthony (Mandi) Stang, Allison (Troy) Heitsche, Adam Stang, Airrin (Jon) Carrabino, Spencer Fries, Amelia Ruggles, Nevan Ruggles, Anita Ruggles, Anessa Ruggles, Abecka Ruggles, Annaka Ruggles, Julia Fries, Owen Fries, Jack Fries, Luke Fries, Jacob Fries, and Gracie Fries; six great-grandchildren, Charley, Archie, Bowie, Matthew, Theodore, and John; brother, Raymond Fries; brothers-in-law, Larry (Diane) Schafer and Tom (Janet) Schafer; and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Clemence and Alice Fries; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara (Eugene) Dick; brothers, Bernard and Theodore Fries; sister-in-law, Janet Fries; mother and father-in-law, Melvin and Betty Schafer; and daughter-in-law, Leya Fries.

Visitation for family and friends will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk, Ohio, 44857. A rosary will be 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Due to the current construction at St. Joseph Catholic Church, a christian funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2024, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, Norwalk, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow the service at Riverside Cemetery, Monroeville, and a luncheon will be at 12 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church's Social Hall, also in Monroeville.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Karen Fries for the John Fries Endowment Fund that will be established in the near future.

Online condolences can be left for the family at www.walkereastmanheydingerfuneralhome.com.