Raymond E. Fritz 92 of Monroe Center, IL died Friday night at St Anthony hospital in Rockford. He was born May 19, 1921 in Rockford, IL the son of Ernest and Bessie (Houdek) Fritz. He married June E. Larson July 19, 1944 in Rockford, IL.
Raymond volunteered for service in the US Army after seeing his neighbor, who had lost both legs, return home from the war. This neighbor had two small girls and Ray concluded that single men like himself should sign up rather than married men with children. Ray served during WW 2 and saw action in the European theater, returning home after receiving an honorable discharge and reaching the rank of Tech Sergeant. Raymond purchased and operated Valley Electric in Rockford, IL in 1951. In honor of his 9 sons, he later changed the name to R-Fritz Electric and was owner until his retirement in 1979. Raymond loved to fish, taking his wife and 13 children on many remote fishing and camping trips into Canada through out his life. To celebrate Rays retirement and their 50th wedding anniversary, Raymond and June spent over a month discovering Alaska fishing and camping.
Raymond served as a member of the Stillman Valley School Board and was a member at Immanual Lutheran Church in Lindenwood.

Predeceased by his parents, father and mother-in-law David and Violet Larson, five sisters Sylvia Fritz infant sister, Evelyn (Kenneth) Brazzell, Ruth (Howard) White, Clara (Knud) Jensen, June (Frank) Repcynski and brother-in-law Kenneth Kollar. Great Grand-daughter: Taylor Emily Probasco.

Survived by his wife of 69 years June E. Fritz and 13 children: Dianne (Andrew Wroble) Whitney of Harpers Ferry, IA, Darlene Tasso of Magnolia Springs, AL, Rodney (Joanne) Fritz of Caledonia, IL, Randy Fritz, of Monroe Center, IL, Donna (Dennis) Probasco of Rochelle, IL, Ricky (Anita) Fritz of Monroe Center, IL, Ronald (Christie) Fritz of Kansas City, MO, Richard (Terri) Fritz of Stillman Valley, IL, Robert (Gay) Fritz of Mahomet, IL, Rocky (Carol) Fritz of Amboy, IL, Deborah (Barry) Vradenburgh of Chattanooga, TN, Roger (Debra) Fritz of Rockford, IL and Raymond (Jill) Fritz Jr. of Andover, MN. Also a very dear sister-in-law Lois Kollar and many nieces and nephews.
48 Grandchildren and 60 Great Grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday June 13, 2013 at Rock Church, 6732 Harrison Ave., Rockford, IL, with visitation also at the Rock Church from 9 to 10:45 a.m. same day of service. Burial will be in Monroe Center Cemetery.
Memorials have been established to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lindenwood, IL.