Fred Froehlich

Fred Froehlich, 85, of Hillandale Road, Sodus, was called home to glory in the early morning hour this past Thursday, March 29, 2018 after a short illness. Fred was comfortable and in the presence of immediate family at the time of calling and was at peace with the Lord in these final days of waiting. While saddened by his departure, the family takes solace in knowing him as a man of strong faith, he was looking forward to his eternal home where we will all one day be reunited with those gone before us. He always took comfort in the words of his favorite hymn, Amazing Grace. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI. Visitation is 4-8 PM on Monday, April 2, 2018. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3713 Naomi Road, Sodus. Visitation with the family will also take place from 9 AM until the time of service. Grave side service will immediately follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Sodus, MI. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Hospice at Home. Fred was born in Sodus on March 26, 1933 to William and Ada Froehlich. After graduation from Benton Harbor High School, he married his soul mate Jean Spillers on January 19, 1957 who worked side by side on the family farm for over 50 years. In later years Fred also enjoyed his employment with the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, and Church Tackle Company. Over the many years he was active as Sodus Township Supervisor, assisting in establishing both the Sodus Township Police and Fire Departments. He served as a Sodus township police officer and also served on the Cherry Growers Board of Directors. At one-time Fred was the only farmer in Michigan who was contracted by Gerber’s to produce sweet potatoes and was the largest grower on their production team for many years. Fred was proud to pass on his love for agriculture to his son Jim, daughter Linda, and most recently his granddaughter Carly Andres who just recently graduated from SMC and also acquired a certificate from MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Fritz was an avid sports fan, was especially fond of the MSU Spartans and was dedicated to following MSU Football and Basketball to the very end. Hardworking and dedicated to his business, he was even more content to spend time with friends and family. He especially enjoyed the many trips to Moose Lake, MN, to share his love of fishing and the outdoors. Many measure the success of a man by lofty position or great wealth, however, his love and dedication to wife and family far outweighed anything else of material value, and for that he will be dearly missed. Survivors include his wife, Jean; children, Mark (Michele) Froehlich of Watervliet, Linda (Doug) Davis of Eau Claire, Susan (Ross) Rogien of Eau Claire, James (Cindy) Froehlich of Eau Claire, Diane (Robert) Edeza of Riverside, California, and Carol (Steve) Andres of Benton Harbor; grandchildren, Jerad & Jaime, Alex & Max, Carly & Laura, and Aleece & Lily;  great-grandchildren Adeline, Alyvia, and Natalie; siblings, Evelyn (Ron) Keigley, Vernon (Eunice) Froehlich, Helen (Maurie) Vandenburg, and Virginia (Rich) Kruck; sisters-in -law, Connie Froehlich, Nancy Bohn, and Carol (Pete) Kobe; and a host of nieces & nephews. Fred was preceded in death by parents William & Ada Froehlich and brother, Robert Froehlich.