Theodore H. "Ted" Fritz

Theodore H. "Ted" Fritz, age 76, 444 Klinger Hill Rd., Benton, died at his home at 9:35 p.m. Thursday, July 9, 2009 after having been in failing health for two years.

Born on February 15, 1933 in Bloomsburg, he was a son of the late Silas R. and Sarah P. (Snyder) Fritz.

Ted spent the early years of his life in Benton and was a 1950 graduate of Benton High School. He later graduated from the Philadelphia Institute of Barbering.

He was a partner in the former Bissett & Fritz Barber Shop, East Street, Bloomsburg for 20 years and later owned Fritz Real Estate, Bloomsburg from 1978 to 1998 when he joined the staff of the Lutz Agency, retiring in 2007.

Ted was an active member of the Christ United Methodist Church, Central, where he was a former official board member. He also belonged to Washington Lodge 265, F & A.M.; Caldwell Consistory; and Elks Lodge 436; and a life member of the Columbia County Historical Society, all of Bloomsburg.

An avid hunter and fisherman, his hobby was tying flies and was a member of the Fishingcreek Sportsman's Club, Benton.

Ted served with the US Navy during the Korean War on board the USS Uhlmann and he was a member of Ft. Rickett's Post 8317, VFW, Benton.

He was preceded in death by a son, Theodore A. "Teddy" Fritz on January 21, 2006.

Surviving are his wife, the former Helen Morehart, with whom he celebrated his 54th wedding anniversary on October 1, 2008; a son, Dennis D. Fritz, Berwick; a daughter, Teresa D., wife of James B. Hawk, New Tripoli; a daughter-in-law, Diane Fritz, Benton; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, William Bissett, and his wife June, Bloomsburg; and two sisters: Dawn Myers, Americus, Ga. and Helen, wife of William Matthews, Lakewood, N.J.

Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. in Christ United Methodist Church, 750 Central Road, Benton (Village of Central) with his pastor, Rev. Howard W. Leh officiating. Interment with military honors by the combined VFW group will take place at the Waller Cemetery.

Friends may call on Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at the Dean W. Kriner, Inc. Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Benton or at the Church on Monday from 10-11 a.m. Masonic services will be held on Sunday at 6 p.m.

The family will provide flowers. Memorials may be sent to either the Christ United Methodist Church, 605 Camp Lavigne Road, Benton; Northern Columbia County Cultural Center, Benton; or the Fishingcreek Sportsman's Club, Benton, PA 17814.