Frederick "Fritz" L. Amstutz

Frederick L. “Fritz” Amstutz , 91 a lifelong resident of Berne, passed away Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 3:15 p.m. at Swiss Village.

Fritz was born December 25, 1926 in Adams County to Jacob and Laura (Baumgartner) Amstutz, who are both deceased.

On December 7, 1945, he was united in marriage to Georgia Norr in Berne, Indiana and she survives.

An active member of the First Mennonite Church in Berne, Fritz taught Sunday school for many years.

Fritz farmed for many years after working at Berne Lumber and Graber Plumbing in Berne. He also worked for many years at the Berne Hi Way Hatchery delivering feed. In later years, Fritz especially enjoyed providing transportation for many in Amish families in the community.

Fritz was known for telling jokes and his stories. He never knew a stranger because after meeting someone they soon became his friend.

Surviving along with his dear wife of more than 73 years, Georgia; are his daughter, Donna (Paul) Habegger of North Manchester, Indiana; son, Deryll (Janice) Amstutz of Hillsboro, Kansas; daughter, Sharon (James) Blackford of Phoenix, Arizona; son, Norman (Deborah) Amstutz of Berne, Indiana; and brother-in-law, Thomas Lehman of Wolcottville, Indiana. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, Teresa (Matthew) Mize, Rebecca (Michael) Burke, Matthew (Christine) Habegger, Rachel (Aaron) Stuckey, Sarah (Diep) Le, Bethany (Tim) Schrag, Nathan (LaRinda) Amstutz, James Blackford Jr., Tonya (William) Kane, Lyska (Tim) Handshoe, Todd Blackford, Lee (Jennifer) Amstutz, and Joanne Amstutz; 22 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild.

Fritz was preceded in death by two brothers, J. Levi and Noah Amstutz; nine sisters, Catherine Neuenshwander, Sarah Amstutz, Lena Norr, Anna Miller, Rachel Lehman, Bertha Franks, Martha Amstutz, Rosina Amstutz, and Edna Lehman; a foster brother, Joseph; and a great-grandchild.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at First Mennonite Church in Berne with Pastor Jim Schwartz officiating. Burial will follow in the MRE Cemetery in Berne.

On Friday the Swiss Village Community friends and the staff members will be received from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Swiss Village Chapel, followed by visitation of friends and family from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Yager - Kirchhofer Chapel in Berne , also visitation will continue on Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Preferred memorials are requested to be given to the First Mennonite Church Missions or Life Outreach International for clean water wells.