Paul J. Fries, 91, of Columbia City, IN, and having family members in Huntington, IN, died Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at 2:15 p.m. at his home.
Mr. Fries graduated from Columbia City High School in 1941 and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and zoology from Indiana University in 1950. He received a master’s degree in education from Saint Francis College, Fort Wayne, in 1967.
He and his wife managed the Barrel Drive-In, in Columbia City, from 1951 to 1958, and later farmed in Thorncreek Township, Whitley County. He taught science and math at Thorncreek Center School from 1967 to 1989. He was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, Indiana Retired Teachers Association and Kiwanis.
He was born Sept. 6, 1923, in Fort Wayne to Leo J. and Ella Marie Perry Fries. He married Nancy C. Van Holten on Feb. 1, 1954, and she survives.
Additional survivors include three sons, William (Jackie) Fries, Tim (Maelynn) Fries and Ron Fries, all of Columbia City; three daughters, Karen Fries and Amy (Edwardo Galvan) Fries, both of Columbia City, and Mary (Marty) Waterman, of Hyde Park, VT; a brother, Dr. George Fries, of Marion; a sister, Genevieve Mason, of Huntington; and six grandchildren.
Calling is Sunday, March 29, 2015, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with a prayer service at 6 p.m., at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 30, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., with calling one hour prior to Mass, at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S. Line St., Columbia City.
Memorial gifts may be made to Passages of Whitley County, St. Paul of the Cross Faith in Action Fund or St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank.