Age 91 of Monroe, died Friday, May 18, 2012 at Aster Retirement Community, Monroe. Fritz was born May 4, 1921 in Monroe, the son of Herman and Irene (Gasser) Lanz. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1939 and entered the U.S. Army in 1942. Fritz served in the Pacific Theatre with the 339th Engineer Battalion before his honorable discharge on Dec. 24, 1945.
He married Eleanor Pyle on January 17, 1943 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Monroe.
Along with his brother, James, Fritz owned and operated Lanz Sheet Metal and Heating in Monroe until retiring in 1983. He and Eleanor moved to Palm Harbor, Florida in 1984.
Fritz was a member of the Monroe Fire Department for 31 years serving as First Assistant Chief for several years. He was a former member of Grace Lutheran Church, Life member of American Legion Post #84 and V.F.W. Post #2312, Monroe Masonic Smith Lodge #31, and Monroe Moose Lodge #754. He also served as President of the Highland Lakes, FL Home Owners Association for 20 years.
Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Lanz of Monroe; two sons, Frederick H. (Barbara) Lanz of Madison, and Jeffery D. Lanz (Dolores Drewelow) of Monroe; four grandchildren, Courtney (Glen) Close, Eric (Mage) Lanz, Lynsey (Matt) Le Duc, Zachary Lanz; a great grandson, Niko Lanz; two brothers, James C. "Bud" Lanz of Memphis, TN, and Robert H. (Elaine) Lanz of Tarzana, CA; a sister, Helen Lavasseur of Madison; and close family friends, Chuck and Nancy Koch of Monroe.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe, with Rev. Gretchen Sylvester of St. John's United Church of Christ, officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in his name to Monroe Clinic Hospice. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. To share a memory or sign the guestbook go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.
He married Eleanor Pyle on January 17, 1943 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Monroe.
Along with his brother, James, Fritz owned and operated Lanz Sheet Metal and Heating in Monroe until retiring in 1983. He and Eleanor moved to Palm Harbor, Florida in 1984.
Fritz was a member of the Monroe Fire Department for 31 years serving as First Assistant Chief for several years. He was a former member of Grace Lutheran Church, Life member of American Legion Post #84 and V.F.W. Post #2312, Monroe Masonic Smith Lodge #31, and Monroe Moose Lodge #754. He also served as President of the Highland Lakes, FL Home Owners Association for 20 years.
Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Lanz of Monroe; two sons, Frederick H. (Barbara) Lanz of Madison, and Jeffery D. Lanz (Dolores Drewelow) of Monroe; four grandchildren, Courtney (Glen) Close, Eric (Mage) Lanz, Lynsey (Matt) Le Duc, Zachary Lanz; a great grandson, Niko Lanz; two brothers, James C. "Bud" Lanz of Memphis, TN, and Robert H. (Elaine) Lanz of Tarzana, CA; a sister, Helen Lavasseur of Madison; and close family friends, Chuck and Nancy Koch of Monroe.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe, with Rev. Gretchen Sylvester of St. John's United Church of Christ, officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in his name to Monroe Clinic Hospice. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. To share a memory or sign the guestbook go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.