Jerome A. Fritsch, 73, of Hiawatha, died Tuesday morning, September 5th, 2017, at Hiawatha Community Hospital.  He previously had been a resident of Maple Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for several years.

Jerome was born was Sabetha, October 23, 1943, one of two children of Aloysius and Mary Hackett Fritz.  He grew up near Mercier where he attended St. Peter’s country school, later graduating from Powhattan High School.

Jerome served with the Kansas Army National Guard, 2nd BN, 130th FA, Battery B, based out of Horton, during the time of the Peublo incident in May of 1968.  Jerome worked as a farm hand for Claude Zimmerman for over 16 years prior to working for Ron Zimmers, both farmed near Powhattan.  His mother’s health was failing and with him being the caregiver, they moved to Hiawatha to make their home in 1983.

He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church at Mercier until it closed, transferred to St. Leo’s Church at Horton, prior to becoming a member of St. Ann Catholic Church of Hiawatha.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother in law Leon Pelton.

Survivors include his sister Martha Pelton of Tecumseh, KS; nieces:  Patricia Robinett (Bryan), Pamela Moyer (Marty); Kevin Pelton (Kristi), and Tracy Pelton.

A Parish Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. Monday, September 11th, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Hiawatha.

Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann.  Father Dan Garden will be the celebrant.

Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha, with military honors a courtesy of the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 12 noon until 7 p.m. Sunday, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Ann Church, American Diabetes Association or Maple Heights Activity Fund, sent in care of the funeral home.
www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com