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Leighton M. Fritz, 88 years, of Hamilton, passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at the Laurels of DeKalb in Butler, with his family at his bedside. Leighton was born June 9, 1928 in Farmer, Ohio, the son of the late Russell and Daisy (Skees) Fritz. He was a 1946 graduate of Farmer High School where he was a member of the Ohio State Basketball Championship Team. He continued his education receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Defiance College and Masters from Bowling Green University. He married Lois L. Beard on August 27, 1950 in Farmer, Ohio. After serving his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, Leighton returned to teaching in Edgerton, moved to Farmer School as teacher and principal, and later as Principal at Fairview High School, Central Local School District. After moving to Hamilton Lake, he continued at Edon/Northwest Schools as K-8 Principal until his retirement in 1981. He suffered a stroke in 2011 in their Fort Myers, Florida, home. He was a member of the Hamilton United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School. He was a former member of the Hamilton Lions Club and a current member of the Hamilton American Legion Post 467. Leighton enjoyed collecting coins, any type of water sport, gardening, Purdue football and basketball, and volunteering for the American Red Cross. He truly treasured the time he spent with his family.
Surviving is his wife, Lois of Hamilton; son, Mark (Mary) Fritz of New Haven, Indiana; daughter, Julie (Jerry) Fritz-Bergman of Ney, Ohio; five grandsons, Chad (Jen) Balhoff of Waterville, Ohio, Brett (Mindy) Balhoff of Chesterton, Indiana, Colin (Katie) Fritz of Russellville, Kentucky, Derek Fritz of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Evan Fritz of New Haven, Indiana; eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his great-grandson, Christian Fritz; four brothers, John, Ward, Duane and Keith Fritz.
Funeral services for Leighton M. Fritz will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 19, 2016 in the Hamilton United Methodist Church with Pastor Larry Dimick officiating. Graveside committal services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in Farmer Cemetery, Farmer, Ohio. Visitation for Leighton will be held two hours prior to the service on Saturday at the church, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Arrangements are under the care of Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 3985 East Church Street, Hamilton, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that those planning an expression of sympathy to consider memorial contributions be made to Hamilton United Methodist Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family or the online guest book may be signed at www.oberlinturnbull.com