Linda Lee Fritz, age 75, passed away November 28, 2024, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Linda was born on December 10, 1948, to Clarence M. Fritz, Jr. and Mary V. (Jones) Fritz in Marion, Ohio.
Linda graduated from Mount Gilead High School in 1966. In 1970, she graduated from THE Ohio State University with a degree in Home Economics and a teaching license. While in college she worked for the United States Postal Service, and upon graduation she chose to continue working for the USPS, remaining with the postal service for her entire 39-year career. She started working at the USPS in Columbus, Ohio, and subsequently transferred to Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA, and Memphis, TN. During her tenure with the USPS, Linda was trained and worked for a short time as a US Postal Inspector. Upon retirement she moved to Mount Vernon, Ohio. She chose this location to be half-way between her niece and nephew, and she became actively involved in attending their children’s school and sports events.
Linda grew up in 4H, sewing and cooking, going to 4H camp, and learning leadership and homemaking skills. While in high school she waited tables at Dairy Bar H and participated in a ‘Future Nurses’ club. During the summer in college, she worked as a cook at 4H Camp Clifton. Linda was a member of the Harmony Chapel United Methodist Church. In addition, she served on the Administrative Council and was a trustee of the Harmony Chapel UMC. She was also the leader of the Women in Faith group at Harmony. She was a member of the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) and met her weight goal in 2017. Linda was a member of Evelyn Chapter #146 of the Ohio Eastern Stars and belonged to the Collierville Crimson Chics Red Hat Society. She enjoyed playing cards with some of her MGHS classmates and at family gatherings. She kept her mind sharp playing dozens of Sudoku games daily and watched movies late into the night. She was the go-to person for correct dates, times, and places for historical family events and always corrected her sister’s “mistakes.” She organized Jones family reunions and served many organizations in leadership roles. As a stylish fashionista, she loved to shop and collect clothes, shoes, and jewelry. She regularly enjoyed manicures and pedicures. When her sister Pat was sewing clothing for competitions at the Ohio State Fair (modeled by niece and nephew Beth and Shawn), she helped with planning, sewing, and construction of garments and especially liked shopping for accessories for the outfits. She enjoyed needlepoint and cross stitch and gifted many family members with her creations. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she loved decorating for Christmas and showering her family with gifts.
Throughout her life, Linda was an avid OSU Buckeyes fan and was especially fervent about the OSU football team. She collected OSU memorabilia and was a member of several OSU Alumni organizations, most recently the Knox County OSU Alumni Club. She enjoyed supporting OSU financially at many OSU scholarship fundraising auctions. Many of her prized auction purchases are displayed in the lavish OSU room in her home.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, a brother-in-law, Grove Rinehart and by her beloved teacup poodle, Chloe Marie. She is survived by her sister Patricia Rinehart, Patricia’s sister Julia Popp, niece Beth (Jeff) Gress, nephew Shawn (Amy) Rinehart, great nephews Andy (Laura) Gress, Sam Gress, Luke Rinehart, and Ben Rinehart, great-great niece Elsy Gress, great-great nephew Will Gress, and many cousins and dear friends. Linda’s memory is honored by her choice to be a tissue donor and her corneas were donated. Because of her COPD, she would strongly encourage you not to smoke. Linda had a kind, caring, and generous soul and she is already dearly missed.
Family and Friends may call at Snyder Funeral Home Craven Chapel in Mount Gilead, Ohio on Tuesday, December 3rd, from 4:00-6:00 pm. Funeral will be held at Snyder Funeral Home Craven Chapel on December 4th at 11:00 am. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harmony Chapel UMC, the Knox County OSU Alumni Club Scholarship Fund or the American Lung Association.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead are honored to have been chosen to serve Linda’s family. Special memories or condolences may be shared by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
