STEVEN LANE “STEVE” FRITTER
Mr. Steven Lane “Steve” Fritter, age 72, of near Pleasant, entered this life on April 8, 1948, in Brookville.
He was the son of the late George Thomas Fritter and Mildred E. (Watson) Fritter Gourley. He was raised in Madison, where he was a 1967 graduate of Madison High School. Steve was united in marriage to Glenda Roberta Ralston on November 24, 1967, at the Caledonia United Presbyterian Church near Moorefield. This happy union was blessed with a son, Lewis and a daughter, Mary. Steve and Glenda shared nearly 54 years of marriage together until his death.
Steve was inducted into the United States Army Reserves on August 18, 1968, in Madison. He rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class on July 6, 1985, and received the Sharpshooter (M-14) badge, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Two Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with Four Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the National Professional Development Ribbon 3. He was recognized for his service during the period of the Cold War, which was from September 2, 1945 – December 26, 1991, and for his outstanding service to the Nation as a United States Army Solider. He was also awarded a certificate of achievement for the 212th supply and service battalion on August 26, 1983. As a tribute of Steve’s service to his country, the American Legion Department of Indiana awarded him with the Freedom Team Salute Commendation Lapel Pin. Steve retired from the United States Army Reserves on August 12, 1990, after 22 years of active reserves.
Steve was employed as a machinist for Rotary Lift in Madison, retiring in 2011, after 44 years of service. He was a member of the Caledonia United Presbyterian Church near Moorefield. He was a member of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 where he was a past Post Commander from 2015-2017 and was active in the American Legion Honor Guard. He also served as a 4-H leader for the Jefferson County 4-H for 20 years and served as a fair board member for five years. Steve served as president of the Parent Teacher Organization for the Canaan Elementary School and was the boys basketball coach for several years. Steve was very active in his community and was a big supporter of keeping the Canaan Elementary School open. He also helped get the school gymnasium built. He served as Precinct Committeeman for the Shelby Township Republican Party. He also served as President of the Fairview Horse and Pony Club for several years and also for area one equine for 4-H Horse and Pony Club. Steve also served on the State Board of the 4-H Horse and Pony Club. Steve and Glenda resided since 1971 on Scott’s Ridge in Jefferson County. Steve was a big supporter of Thunder Over Fritters since 1989. Steve enjoyed tractor pulls and horse pulls as well as trail rides and working on tractors. He was an avid IU Basketball fan and Bobby Knight supporter and will be deeply missed by his loving family and abundance of friends.
Steve passed away at 12:50 a.m., Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at his residence.
Steve will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Glenda Roberta (Ralston) Fritter of near Pleasant; his son, Lewis Fritter and his companion, Lindsay Stultz of Switzerland County and his daughter, Mary McCarty and her husband, Eric of Salt Lick, KY.
He was preceded in death by his father, George Thomas Fritter, who died in 1966; his mother, Mildred E. (Watson) Fritter-Gourley, who died April 1, 2014, and his step-father, Emmett D. “Kilowatt” Gourley, who died October 7, 1997.
Friends may call 5 – 8 p.m., Friday, March 19, 2021, at the Canaan Community Academy Gymnasium, 8775 North Canaan Main Street, Canaan, Indiana 47224.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 20, 2021, at 11 a.m., by Pastor Ron Lee at the Canaan Community Academy Gymnasium, 8775 North Canaan Main Street, Canaan, Indiana 47224.
Full military rites will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 and the Vevay VFW Post #5396 in the Caledonia Cemetery, near Moorefield.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Caledonia Cemetery Fund. Cards are available at the school, funeral home and online at www.haskellandmorrison.com