John Joseph Fritz will be remembered for many things, but mostly his strong faith, devotion to his wife, children and grandchildren and service to others. John was called home on April 27, 2025. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on June 1, 1927, he was the son of Edward M and Celia Feuerstein Fritz. As a young man he followed his older brothers and left high school after his junior year to serve in the United States Navy during World War II. When he returned home, he attended Babson College in Massachusetts and graduated with a business degree. He started his career working in the family business at the Grand Rapids Cabinet Company. He then joined Wurzburg’s and eventually started his own business as a manufacturer’s representative.
John met the love of his life, Frances, on a blind date. While off at college, he kept his courtship alive by writing endearing love letters. John and Fran were married July 7, 1951, and were together for 73 years.
John’s passion was spending time with his wife and children, sailing Reed’s Lake, cycling, gardening, and helping those less fortunate. He was a great role model and mentor to his children, grandchildren, and those who knew him. John enjoyed traveling with his wife, meeting people and could strike up conversations with perfect strangers. His adult children often talked him into adventures such as hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in his 60’s and riding the Trail of the Hiawatha when he turned 80. He kept fit and enjoyed regular workouts that allowed him to stay active in his senior years. John’s zest for new experiences was evident in how he lived his life. In his later years he volunteered delivering mail in his retirement community and made many new friends.
John was a devout catholic and attended St. Stephen’s Church. He volunteered at God’s Kitchen to feed the homeless and gave the gift of blood at the Grand Rapids Blood Bank for many years. Along with his wife Fran, they loved getting together with extended family and long-time friends known as “Sals Pals” and traveling to other countries as well as visiting their daughters and families in the Pacific Northwest.
The love of his life Fran passed October 24, 2024. He is survived by his children, John and wife Kathleen, Mary Fritz, Susan Waarheid and husband Freddie and Jean Ann Grantham and husband Paul; grandchildren Chris Fritz and wife Ashley, Hana Waters, and Philip Nedoma; great grandchildren, Greta and Grayson Fritz, Ally Waters, Olin and Fritz Nedoma; and his brother, Don Fritz and wife Karen. The extended Fritz family is large, and he will be remembered by his numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Ed Fritz; and mother, Celia; sisters and spouses, Jean, Mary Ellen (Joe), and Barb (Tom); and brothers and spouses, Ed (Orell) and Philip (Betty).
Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Stephens Catholic Church, 750 Gladstone Dr. SE, East Grand Rapids MI 49506 on May 9th, 2025, at 11am with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will be May 8th, from 5-7pm at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, 3980 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids Michigan 49506. Interment at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, 2:30pm, May 9th, 2025. The funeral mass will be live streamed on the funeral home Facebook page. Memorials can be made to God’s Kitchen Catholic Charities or St. Stephens Catholic Church.