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MAIN INDEX CLASS OF 1941 CLASS MEMORIES REUNION INFO

 
   
Name: Paul J. Fries
Spouse: Nancy Catherine Van houten Fries
Address
DECEASED 2015,
Phone Number
Email Address
Personal Website

Class of

1941 Attended from through

Graduated Here?

Yes   

If graduated elsewhere, graduated from:

College Attended:

Indiana University; St. Francis
     
Birthdate: September 6, 1923   
Date of Death: March 25, 2015  
       

Current Occupation:

Retired Teacher
 

Notes:

Paul J. Fries, 91, a lifelong Columbia City resident, died at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at his home after battling a long illness.

He was born September 6, 1923 in Fort Wayne, Indiana the third of eight children of Leo J. and Ella Marie (Perry) Fries. He attended Thorncreek Elementary and graduated from Columbia City High School in 1941.

On February 1, 1954 he was united in marriage to Nancy C. Van Holten. While helping his father with farming, Paul managed a poultry business with the help of his family. They sold poultry at the old Barr Street Market in Fort Wayne. They also sold to other wholesale and retail businesses from 1944 to 1950. Paul attended Indiana University, Fort Wayne and graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington in 1950 with an Bachelor degree in chemistry and zoology. Paul and Nancy managed the Barrel Drive-In in Columbia City from 1951 until 1958, when the business was sold. In August 1959, they moved to their farm in Thorncreek Township.

In addition to farming, in 1960 Paul began teaching science and math at Thorncreek Center School while attending St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, receiving his Master's degree in education in 1967. Paul retired from teaching at Thorncreek in 1989 and continued farming in his retirement years. He spent his final years fishing, cheering on his favorite sports teams and enjoying family events, gatherings and holidays.

Paul was dedicated to the Columbia City community and his family. He was an active member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, Indiana Retired Teachers Association and a long-time member of Kiwanis.

Surviving relatives include his wife of 61 years, Nancy; six children, William (Jackie) Fries and Karen Fries, both of Columbia City, Mary (Marty) Waterman of Hyde Park VT, Tim (Maelynn) Fries, Ron Fries and Amy (Edwardo Galvan) Fries, all of Columbia City; six grandchildren; a brother, Dr. George Fries of Marion; and Genevieve Mason of Huntington.

A brother and four sisters, Catherine Fries, Rosella Wait, Margaret Fries, John Fries and Helen Murphy, preceded him in death.

The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 South Line Street, Columbia City with visitation after 9:30. The burial will be in Catholic Cemetery. The visitation will also be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with a Prayer Service at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Preferred memorials are to Passages of Whitley County, St. Paul of the Cross Faith in Action Fund or St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank.


 
Last Updated: 03-28-2015 Alumni ID: 11883
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