James L. Fritch

February 22, 1929 - February 17, 2020

Dateline Jasper, Indiana James L. Fritch, age 90, of Jasper, Indiana, passed away at 8:05 a.m. on Monday, February 17, 2020, at home. Jim was born in Jasper, Indiana, 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, Indiana. 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 manager at Jasper Chemical Coatings. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana, 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. Surviving are his wife, Patricia Fritch, Jasper, IN, five children, Dave Fritch, Karen (Bill) Sermersheim, Mike (Jane) Fritch, Dan (Sara) Fritch, and Andy Fritch, all of Jasper, IN, 12 grandchildren, and 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 Family Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper, Indiana. The V.F.W. Post #673 will conduct military gravesite rights. A visitation will be held from 2:00-8:00 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