John L. Fries, age 81, of Norwalk, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, May 25, 2024 at Fisher Titus Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. John was born on August 21, 1942 in Norwalk to the late Clemence and Alice (Hohler) Fries. Graduating from St. Paul Catholic School in 1960, John began working as a loan officer for Citizen's National Bank. To follow his true passion of farming, John later transitioned to PCA in 1977 and then to Farm Credit and Ag Credit where he continued to serve as a loan officer for farmers in the surrounding communities. John enjoyed being a loan officer and this suited him and his sociable personality perfectly as he was also a life-long farmer, working evenings and weekends on the family farm.

Heavily involved in the community, John was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monroeville, a member of the Holy Name Society at St. Joseph's, and a member and past president of the Norwalk Kiwanis. He also served as past president of the Norwalk Eagles #711, where he most proudly served as secretary for 25 years. To perpetuate and instill his love of agriculture in future generations, John served as a 4-H Advisor in Huron County for many years and he oversaw the fundraising efforts for many of the buildings at Camp Conger. John also organized the Kiwanis "A" Grade Banquet for 45 years in order to recognize the efforts of every 4-H member in Huron County. However, John was best known in the community for calling square dances at many social events for over 40 years.

A true family man, John most treasured the time that he spent with his beloved wife, Karen (Schafer), to whom he was married to for 59 years on May 15th, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who were all raised within 5 miles of John and Karen's family home that was built in 1965. John also loved to travel and after his retirement in 2005, together he and his wife traveled all over the world, both nationally and internationally; making sure to step foot in each one of the 50 states on their travels. John also loved a good Euchre game with the neighborhood card club and was always known to tell a story or two while playing.

There are no words to describe a man like John who touched the lives of many and will be loved and missed by everyone he knew. Left to treasure his memory are John's family; his wife Karen; six children, Tim Fries, Tammy Stang, Ted Fries, Betsy (Marc) Ruggles, Bob (Kristin) Fries, Brian (Ashley) Fries; eighteen grandchildren, Amanda (Aaron) Hass, Anthony (Mandi) Stang, Allison (Troy) Heitsche, Adam Stang, Airrin (Jon) Carrabino, Spencer Fries, Amelia Ruggles, Nevan Ruggles, Anita Ruggles, Anessa Ruggles, Abecka Ruggles, Annaka Ruggles, Julia Fries, Owen Fries, Jack Fries, Luke Fries, Jacob Fries, and Gracie Fries; six great-grandchildren, Charley, Archie, Bowie, Matthew, Theodore, and John; a brother, Raymond Fries; brothers-in-law, Larry (Diane) Schafer and Tom (Janet) Schafer, and many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, Clemence and Alice Fries; sister and brother-in-law Barbara (Eugene) Dick; brothers; Bernard and Theodore Fries; sister-in-law Janet Fries; mother and father-in-law, Melvin and Betty Schafer; and daughter-in-law Leya Fries.

Family and friends are invited to visitation at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk, OH 44857 on Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm. A rosary will be held prior to visitation at 3:30pm on Thursday. Due to the current construction at St. Joseph Catholic Church, a Christian funeral service will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024 at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Norwalk beginning at 10:30am with visitation beginning at 9:30am. Interment will follow the service at Riverside Cemetery in Monroeville and a luncheon will be held at 12:00pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church's Social Hall also in Monroeville. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Karen Fries for the John Fries Endowment Fund that will be established in the near future. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com.