Jesse E. Fritz

Jesse E. Fritz, 85, of S. R. 239, Benton, went to be with the Lord Thursday evening, June 14, 2018 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he had been a patient since Saturday evening.

Born April 3, 1933 in Benton, he was a son of the late Woodrow Fritz, who died March 30, 1998 and Alice (Butler) Fritz, who died June 16, 1987.   He and his wife, Sandra (Baker) Fritz, celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on February 23rd.

Mr. Fritz was a 1951 graduate of Benton High School and then graduated from Lycoming College in 1956.  He later earned his Master's degree in Industrial Arts from Millersville State College, now known as Millersville University.  He also graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary with a Masters of Sacred Theology.

He served his country in the U. S. Army National Guards for three years.

Mr. Fritz was a very active member of the Benton United Methodist Church where he served in numerous capacities including Sunday School teacher, Youth Leader,  Daily Vacation Bible School teacher, and served on the Church Council for many years of which he was a past president.

He was a life member of the Boy Scouts of America where he was a member of the Order of the Arrow and had received the God and Country Award. 

He and his wife owned and operated Jubilee Valley Retreat Center for 25 years for youth and families.  He ran Camp Loyalsock for Junior High students at Worlds End and taught swimming and life-saving at the Benton Dam and at the Williamsport YMCA and YWCA.  He was also a Sugarloaf Township Supervisor where he was chairman for many years and was also a past president of the Columbia County Township Supervisors.   Mr. Fritz also raised dogs for many years and enjoyed hunting and traveling. 

Surviving, in addition to his wife, Sandra, are his three children:  Gregory E. Fritz and his wife, Nancy, of Lititz; Shelby R. Brown and her husband, Paul, of Parker, Colorado; Nelson K. Fritz and his wife, Robin, of Benton; eight grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; one step grandson and one step great grandson.   Also surviving are two sisters: Beverly Smith and Marguerite Schupp, both of Benton. 

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William Fritz on December 5, 2001.

A Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 19th, 2018 from 6 to 7 PM at the Benton United Methodist Church, Main Street, Benton.  Services will begin Tuesday evening at 7 with the Rev. Matthew Verstraeten and Rev. Caleb Fritz, officiating.  Private burial will be in the Benton Cemetery at a later date.   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Benton United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 285, Benton, PA 17814 or to a Mission organization of the donor's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., Benton.  For  online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website:  www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

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