Obituary of Ernest F. Fritz

Coffeyville - Ernest F. "Ernie" Fritz, 84, of Independence, Kansas passed away Saturday, November 29, 2008 at St. John's Medical Center in Joplin, Missouri. He was born August 17, 1924 in Durango, Colorado to Ernest Foster and Cidna( Nation) Fritz. He grew up and attended school in Chanute, KS, graduating from Chanute High School. Following high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corp serving during WWII. He later joined and made his career in the U.S. Air Force, during his career his family lived in several places Germany, Grand Heights Air Base in Japan, and Hickham Air Force Base in Hawaii. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of Major. Following his retirement he was employed with U.S. States Department. In 1974 they moved to Coffeyville to make their home. After moving to Coffeyville he worked for several companies in Montgomery County and was an agent with Old American Insurance Company for many years. In June 1946, he married Patricia Allen in Chanute, Kansas. She preceded him in death in December of 1996. He later married Doris (Holt) Winkel on May 27, 1997 in Coffeyville, Kansas. She survives at the home. She survives at the home. He was a member of the Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church of Coffeyville. He is survived by his wife, Doris Fritz of the home in Independence, Kansas; three sons, Ernest Fredrick Fritz of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Robert Fritz of Naples Florida, and James Fritz of O'Fallon, Missouri; four daughters, Mary Kreh of Lusby, Maryland, Cynthia House of Wheaton, Maryland, Sandra Burinda of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Kandi Austin of Adamstown, Maryland; five step-children, Shirley Selby of Independence, Kansas, Carol Unruh of Amarillo, Texas, Virginia Elliott of Surprise, Arizona, Donald Winkel of Wichita, Kansas and William Winkel of Washington; eleven grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 3, 2008 in the Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church in Coffeyville with Reverend Wayne Martin officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 3, 2008 and from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Thursday, December 4, 2008 at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville, Kansas. The family has suggested memorial contributions to the Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church and these remembrances may be left in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, Kansas 67337.