Fretz, Stanley Rickert (1917-1994)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1994 May 5 p. 11

Birth date: 1917 Apr 20

text of obituary:

STANLEY R. FRETZ

Stanley Rickert Fretz, 77, husband of the late Gladys M. Fretz, died by drowning March 31, 1994, at Cancun, Mexico, while vacationing with his daughter and family. His accidental death followed 10 days after the accidental death of his wife, Gladys. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in November 1994.

Stanley was born April 20, 1917, in Lansdale, Pa., to Jacob R. and Mary (Rickert) Fretz. He graduated from Bluffton College in 1940 and was a purchasing agent for Superior Tube Co., Collegeville, for many years.

His greatest work was in the Mennonite church. He was baptized and became a charter member of Grace Mennonite Church, Lansdale, in 1930. During 64 years he served as Sunday school superintendent and deacon, a board member at Camp Men-O-Lan and a board member at the Mennonite Home and Community at Frederick. At the time of his death he was an Eastern District Conference (GC) representative on the board of Bluffton College. One of his unique accomplishments was to serve as chairman of the Germantown Mennonite Church Corp. of Philadelphia, where he gave strong leadership. The corporation and congregation recognized his many years of service by naming a building in his honor.

Services were held April 7 and 8 at Grace Mennonite Church, with Gary Stenson officiating, assisted by his brother, J. Herbert Fretz, and his brother-in-law, Christian H. Martin Jr. Burial was in Deep Run Mennonite Cemetery (West), Bedminster.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary Lou Roush and husband W. Thomas of Lima, Ohio; three grandchildren; two brothers, J. Millard Fretz of Wichita, Kan., and J. Herbert Fretz of Goshen, Ind.

Stanley will be remembered as a steadfast worker in Christ's kingdom, an avid athlete and a joyful singer for the Lord.

The Mennonite obituary: 1994 May 10 p. 19