Fred Froehlich of southwest Michigan dies at age 85

Longtime southwest Michigan specialty crops grower Fred Froehlich, 85, of Hillandale Road, Sodus, died Thursday, March 29, 2018 after a short illness.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI. Visitation is 4-8 p.m. on Monday, April 2, 2018.

According to his obituary, “Fred was born in Sodus on March 26, 1933 to William and Ada Froehlich. After graduation from Benton Harbor High School, he married his soul mate Jean Spillers on Jan. 19, 1957 who worked side by side on the family farm for over 50 years.

In later years Fred also enjoyed his employment with the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, and Church Tackle Co. Over the many years he was active as Sodus Township Supervisor, assisting in establishing both the Sodus Township Police and Fire Departments. He served as a Sodus Township police officer and also served on the Cherry Growers Board of Directors.

At one-time Fred was the only farmer in Michigan who was contracted by Gerber’s to produce sweet potatoes and was the largest grower on their production team for many years. Fred was proud to pass on his love for agriculture to his son Jim, daughter Linda, and most recently his granddaughter Carly Andres who just recently graduated from Southwestern Michigan College and also acquired a certificate from Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3713 Naomi Road, Sodus. Visitation with the family will also take place from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Graveside service will immediately follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Sodus. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Hospice at Home.

Hardworking and dedicated to his business, he was even more content to spend time with friends and family.

Survivors include his wife Jean, children Mark (Michele) Froehlich of Watervliet, Linda (Doug) Davis of Eau Claire, Susan (Ross) Rogien of Eau Claire, James (Cindy) Froehlich of Eau Claire, Diane (Robert) Edeza of Riverside, California, and Carol (Steve) Andres of Benton Harbor. Grandchildren Jerad & Jaime, Alex & Max, Carly & Laura, Aleece & Lily, and great-grandchildren Adeline, Alyvia and Natalie. Siblings Evelyn (Ron) Keigley, Vernon (Eunice) Froehlich, Helen (Maurie) Vandenburg, and Virginia (Rich) Kruck, and a host of nieces & nephews; sister-in -law Connie Froehlich. Fred was preceded in death by parents William & Ada Froehlich and brother Robert Froehlich.”