John Joseph Fritsch

John Joseph Fritsch, age 91, of Berkey, Ohio passed away, Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Flower Hospital, Sylvania, surrounded by his family.  He was born February 28, 1930, in Sylvania to Lawrence and Emma (Schetter) Fritsch.  He attended St. Elizabeth Grade School and graduated from Burnham High School class of 1948.  He was a lifelong farmer, started working with his father at age 5, along with his brother on the family farm where they raised potatoes, tomatoes, sugar beets and operated a dairy farm with Registered Holsteins, the farm switched to raising hogs in the early 60’s.  The farm is in its 5th generation where his sons and grandchildren continue to operate. John retired from farming in 2019, to devote his time caring for his beloved wife.                                                                                                                              John served on many boards and advisory roles with the Sugar Beat Growers Association, National Farmers Organization, Federal Land Bank, St. Elizabeth Credit Union, Holy Name Society, St. Elizabeth Finance, School Board, Maintenance and Cemetery Committees. He helped his wife chair funeral luncheons for over 25 years. He received many gold pins from the American Red Cross for his faithful donation of his blood. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and were involved in two different card clubs where he and his wife could get out as a night out together.  John and his wife would travel all over Northwest Ohio to attend church festivals.  He was happiest on a country drive to look at farm fields.  He served many roles, but his family will always remember him as the most humble, soft spoken and devoted man to Our Lord and his family.  His love for others, helping neighbors and strangers during time of need.  The door was always open, he hosted his family on a weekly basis for Sunday night dinners and each holiday was a grand event.  John married the love of his life Shirley Lumbrezer in 1955, they celebrated 66 years of marriage.                                                                                   John is survived by his wife, Shirley, children, Cheryl (John) Stasa, Tom, Joe, Ken (Edwina), Jim (Lisa), Kathleen (Bob) Nevers, Dianne (Scott) Miller, Mike, Kevin (Kim), 28 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren, and 4 more on the way,  brother L. Donald Fritsch and brother-in-law, Charles Lumbrezer.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Helen Schmidt, Bernadine Natter, Rosemary Debruyn, Mary Alice Byersmith, Kathryn Gabel and daughter-in-law Mary Fritsch.                                                                                                Family and friends may gather at the  Reeb Funeral Home, Sylvania, Thursday September 23, 2021, from 4-8:30 P.M. with the reciting of the Rosary at 7:00 P.M. The funeral Mass will be conducted at Holy Trinity (Assumption), Friday September 24, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. with visitation 1 hour prior. Interment to follow at St. Elizabeth Cemetery.   The family suggests tributes to Holy Trinity Catholic Parish or Richfield Township Fire Department. Online condolences to reebfuneralhome.com

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