Editing Fretz, Jacob Millard "Jake" (1912-1999)

''Mennonite Weekly Review'' obituary: 13 May 1999 p. 8; p.

Birth date: 1912

text of obituary: 

'''JACOB M. FRETZ'''

Jacob Millard "Jake" Fretz was born Oct. 5, 1912, to Mary Rickert Fretz and Jacob Rittenhouse Fretz at Lansdale, Pa.

At Lansdale High School, Jake was a four-year letterman in football and track. He was baptized in 1926 by his grandfather, Allen M. Fretz at Deep Run Mennonite Church West. In 1934 Jake graduated from Bluffton (Ohio) College, where he met Marjorie Gage, whom he married the next year.

Jake began his teaching career in Stockdale, Ohio, where he also coached girls' basketball. During World War II he worked for Goodyear Aircraft Co. in Akron, Ohio. After the war, the family moved to Wadsworth, Ohio, where Jake taught and coached high school football.

His love of coaching and football brought the family to North Newton, Kan., in 1949, where Jake was head football coach for Bethel College. A few years later, Jake began teaching science and math at Meade Intermediate School in Wichita, Kan. The family moved there in 1956. Jake taught at Meade until his retirement in 1977.

He earned a master's degree in physical education from the University of Kansas. During the summers he umpired in the National Baseball Congress tournament and one season in the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri Association, a professional league. His excellence and professionalism were recognized in 1996 by his induction into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jake was saddened by the death of his wife, Marjorie, in 1972. He married Evelyn Nicholson in 1974.

In retirement Jake kept busy with activities at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, where he was a deacon. He traveled to South America, Africa, Europe and Japan.

Jake died unexpectedly at home on April 11, 1999. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; a daughter, Donna and her husband Stanley E. Voth of Topeka, Kan.; a son, David and his wife Laurel of Shrewsbury, Vt.; a brother, J. Herbert Fretz of Goshen, Ind.; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Stanley.


''Mennonite Weekly Review'' obituary:  13 May 1999 p. 9

text of obituary:

'''CONGREGATIONS'''

'''KANSAS'''

'''WICHITA'''

'''Lorraine Avenue Menn. Ch.'''

. . .

J. Millard "Jake" Fretz, 86 died April 11. He was a member at LAMC for 42 years. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and his children.

. . .

-- ''Janet Kaufman ''


[[Category:Mennonite Weekly Review obituaries]]