Earl H. Fritchley

Earl H. Fritchley, age 80, of Magnolia, passed away April 11, 2009, in Carroll Golden Age Retreat in Carrollton. 

Born in Canton, he was a son of the late Wilbur and Ammie Roshon Fritchley, was raised in Brown Township, and resided in Magnolia over 60 years. 

He was a 1946 graduate of Malvern High School.  He retired from the Berger Division of Republic Steel Corp., after almost 35 years service, where he was a punch break operator.  He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Magnolia, the Sandy Valley Ruritan Club, which he served as Governor of this District, and was a life member of the Magnolia Historical Society.  He worked with the Corps of Engineers who built the Magnolia Levee.

He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Martha and John Ramsey, of Lerona, WV, and Debbie and Daryl Myers, of Magnolia; two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul and Susie Fritchley, of Waynesburg, and Thomas and Linda Fritchley, of Richville; his aunt Ruby Lueben, of Belleville, IL; a sister-in-law, Arlene Fritchley, of Canton; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jay and Mary Lou Geckler, of Magnolia; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and with two more soon to be born, and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy I. Fritchley, on Sept. 21, 2006, and a brother and sister, Dale Fritchley and Jean Downes.

Services will be conducted Thursday, April 16 at 10 a.m. in Finefrock-Gordon Funeral Home in Magnolia with Pastor J. Andrew Riggs officiating.  Interment will be in Magnolia Cemetery.  Friends may call Wednesday 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.