Frederick S. Bretz

The remarkable spirit of Frederick Smith Bretz took flight from his body on June 1, 2015, leaving behind a world made more beautiful and special by his presence and grace. A memorial service, to celebrate the life of Frederick, will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at Christian Endeavor United Methodist Church, 1415 Londondale Parkway, Newark with Pastor Nick Shaw officiating. The Licking County Veteran's Alliance will observe military honors. Fred was born March 23, 1916, in Espanola, New Mexico, where his father was a Methodist Missionary and his mother was the church organist. He and his three sisters grew up in the West and Midwest, where his father preached the Methodist word. Fred graduated from Moscow High School in Moscow, Ohio in 1935, during the Depression era. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked in Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. After the CCC, he returned to Ohio to attend Ohio Northern University, majoring in music. In 1940 he met the love of his life, Martha Jane McCann, and they were married May 24, 1941. They became parents for the first of 7 times in August 1942. Fate changed the direction of his life when he was drafted into the army in 1942, and he spent the next 21 years in dedicated service to his country in the Army, Army Air-corps, and the Air Force. He was trained in radio communications and during WWII he served in Africa, India, Iran, and Burma. He was awarded the Bronze Star with oak leaf and numerous other awards and commendations for his service. After the war he served in the Philippines and Japan. Mr. Bretz also was a Korean War veteran. Upon retirement he worked for the civil service at the Newark Air Force Base for the next 26 years retiring at age 74. Fred and his wife Jane raised their family in various location around the world and in the United States, and in 1965 settled in Heath, Ohio. They were active in church and volunteer services such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, helping build The Licking County Christian Academy, and serving lunches at Par Excellence Christian Academy. Fred and Jane lived in their home in Heath, Ohio, where they finished raising their seven children. They also helped with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren which were the joy of their retirement years. He enjoyed taking walks, participating in National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) meetings, attending family functions, playing the piano & guitar and working crossword puzzles until failing eyesight curtailed some of these activities. He read everything and sang in choirs around the world. Above all this, Fred was a loving, dedicated family man. He loved all and was loved by all. He helped in raising his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. They were the joy of his retirement years. He leaves behind to rejoice in his life and to mourn his physical loss his childrenMargaret Lewis (Doug) of Newark, Ohio, Patricia Bretz of Newark, Ohio, Barbara Bretz (Robert Sherman) , Frederick Bretz (Yvonne) of Newark, Ohio, Walter Bretz (Kitty) of Newark, Ohio and Lili-Laura Perkey (Russell) of Newark, Ohio, along with 26 grand-children 52 great grandchildren and 6 great- great grandchildren. He has joined with his parents Joseph and Mary Bretz, and his sisters Charlotte Wiley, Josephine Brown, and Margaret Woodworth. He has been reunited with loving wife Jane and a daughter, Martha Ann.Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service ishonored to care for the Bretz family.