Elmer F. “Butch” Fries, age 94, passed peacefully to the Lord on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at his home.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, at Schreffler Funeral Home in Kankakee from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Following the visitation, Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley. Burial services will be held at All Saints Cemetery in Bourbonnais.
Butch was born on July 8, 1926, in Brookville, Indiana, to Elmer W. and Alma Margaret (Schuck) Fries. He married Carol Jean Shockley on June 16, 1951, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Batesville, Indiana. She preceded him in death on Dec. 31, 1978.
Butch proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 until his honorable discharge in 1946.
He graduated in 1950 from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. In 1952, his thesis was published in The Journal of Organic Chemistry.
Upon completion of his university degree, Butch became a lacquer chemist and was employed by Mobil Chemical for over 30 years. An avid baseball fan, he thoroughly enjoyed watching the Cincinnati Reds. He loved playing bingo and card games, especially euchre. Butch relished almost all foods. His favorites were a vanilla long john for breakfast and ice cream for dessert in the evening. Cherry pie was a favorite also. Most of all, Butch valued spending time with his family. He corresponded regularly with family members who lived in other states. Butch was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley for many years, and upon retirement, he enjoyed serving daily Mass. Throughout his life, Butch humbly performed acts of kindness. For example, one year at Christmastime, he purchased gift certificates for a hamburger, fries and drink for each student in the church’s elementary school.
Undoubtedly, Butch’s faith in God, his generosity, his loving nature, and his radiant smile are truly his legacy. He will be immeasurably missed by his children: Kevin Fries of Bradley, and Sue Baker (Richard Jr.) of Kankakee. Fourteen nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews also survive him. In addition to his parents and his wife, Butch was preceded in death by his brother, Charles, (Jean Brockman); sister, Cathryn Dickey, (Donald Sr.); sister, Maxine Muldoon (Philip Jr.); and son Kevin’s significant other, Karen Ninis.
Memorial donations may be made to Uplifted Care Hospice
, 482 Main Street NW, Bourbonnais, IL 60914.
Please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines if you plan to attend the services.
