Erma Alice Fry

The last chapter in the life of Erma A. Fry closed on April 4th, 2018, just 25 days short of her 98th birthday. Born in Marshall Township, to Loyal and Emma (Hatfield) Marshall, she grew up surrounded by family. Erma attended Richland Center High School and achieved a teaching certificate from Richland County Normal. While teaching at the Oak Ridge one room school, she met her lifelong love, and partner in 75 years of marriage, Gerald C. Fry. When asked the secret for a long marriage, Erma said, “A good marriage is give and take, mostly give…” Gerald and Erma worked side-by-side in the cheese making business for 49 years, retiring at the Sylvan Creamery Company in 1978. Their exceptional retirement was filled with many happy times with family and friends on Red Cedar Lake camping in their RV and going fishing at the crack of dawn! They also enjoyed playing cards, snowmobiling and traveling to Canada, Alaska and the west coast in the RV. Home making and family were her true passions. She was a member of the Sylvan Homemakers for 50 years. Her delicious family meals with homemade bread and pie, bountiful garden and fragrant roses delighted many. Her door was always open and her cookie jar was full. Erma kept a daily diary for 61 years which she was very proud that she never missed a day! Erma is survived by her husband Gerald; daughter Alice (Clinton) Soule; three grandchildren Danny (Lori) Fry, Deborah (Kevin) McCoy, Tammy Fry (Walter Judy); three great grandchildren Bill (Ashley) Fry, Michael (Amber) McCoy and James McCoy; six great great grandchildren Dominyk, and MariJessy Fry, Bradley, Aliyah, Tatum, and Kevin “Harry” McCoy; along with sister in laws Hazel Marshal and Fern Bingham; many nieces and nephews; dear friends Norma and the late Jim Waldsmith, Jeanette and John Kaderavek and special neighbors Nate, Barbara, Logan and Brenna Olson; all her Parker cousins and loved visiting the Parker Centennial Farm for family gatherings. She was preceded in death by her son and daughter-in-law Frederick and Mary Fry; great granddaughter Heather Fry; her siblings and in-laws LaVern (Gerry) Marshall, Raymond Marshall, James (Patricia) Marshall, Marvel (Donald) Gerhardt and Amy (Melvin) Crary. Erma will long be remembered for her unwavering faith, her great strength and impeccable character, and beautiful smile. God bless the memory of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. A Celebration of Erma’s Wonderful Life will be held at the Clary Memorial Funeral Home on Monday, April 16th, 2018 at Noon with Ron Fruit officiating. Burial will be held in the Richland Center Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 16th, 2018 at the Clary Memorial Funeral Home from 10:00 AM until the time of service. On line condolences can be made at www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com

Erma Alice Fry

April 29, 1920 - April 4, 2018