Obituary
The following obituary is transcribed from a newspaper clipping collection compiled by Gertrude Alice Brinton. The clipping may be from the obituary's appearance in the Earlham Echo in March 1950.
Services Held for Mrs. Frank Fritz
SOPHIA MAGDALENA FRITZ
Mrs. Sophia Magdalena Fritz, daughter of Nicholas and Eliza Schlarb, was born July 6, 1872 in Penn township and passed away at her home in Earlham, March 1, 1950, at the age of 77 years, seven months and 23 days.
If Mrs. Fritz had lived one more day she could have celebrated her 57th wedding anniversary, as she was united in marriage to Frank L. Fritz March 2, 1893. Mrs. Edith Wetrich, a niece of Mrs. Fritz, came to live with them when six years of age and continued to make her home there until her marriage.
Mrs. Fritz lived near or in Earlham all her life except two years when, she and her husband moved to Cass county, near Wiota in 1898. They came to make their home in Earlham in December of 1940. Soon after coming to Earlham she transferred her church membership from Penn Center to the Methodist church here.
She was preceded in death by her father, mother, two brothers, and one sister. Her husband and one sister, Mrs. Kate Rausenberger survive her.
Mrs. Fritz was a member of the W.S.C.S. of the Earlham Methodist church, of the Silver Circle Sunday School class, of the Old Friends' Club, and of the Friendly Circle. She will be greatly missed by the members of these organizations as well as her many other friends as she was so helpful in her own splendid way.
Her friendliness and hospitality made it a pleasure to be in her home where her friends were always welcome. She worked in the church faithfully when her health would permit her to do so. In her later years she did not have the strength to attend regularly, but was very happy when she could be present and was an inspiration to others.
Funeral services were held at the Earlham Methodist church at 2:00 Saturday, March 4 in charge of Rev. C. A. Crouse assisted by Rev. S. R. Overholser. Interment was in the Penn Center cemetery.
Card of Thanks
We wish to thank all of our friends and neighbors for the many kind deeds, floral offerings and words of sympahty during the illness and at the time of death of our loved one.
Frank Fritz
Kate Rausenberger
Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Wetrich
Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Anderson