Bill Fritcher (93) of Altamont

Bill Fritcher, 93 of Altamont, died at 7:50 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2022 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham surrounded by his loving wife and children.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Altamont with Rev. Dr. James F. Wright officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery, Altamont with military rites by Gieseking-Schwerdtfeger V.F.W. Post #7676, Altamont. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 5, 2022 at the church and for one hour prior to service on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Renovation Fund. Altamont Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont is assisting the family with arrangements.

George William “Bill” Fritcher was born on Tuesday, July 2, 1929 in Effingham, IL to Harry and Hattie (Bishop) Fritcher. He married Margaret Profrock on April 12, 1952 In Bennettsville, SC while he was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. He was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. For many years, he and Margaret made the delivery rounds for Meals on Wheels. Margaret and Bill volunteered on behalf of the Effingham County FISH organization. The two even delivered much-needed supplies to tornado victims in Moore, Oklahoma in 2013. He retired from World Color Press, Effingham in 1991. He was a school bus driver and lunchroom cashier for Altamont Unit 10 for many years. Bill could often be found playing fastpitch softball, fishing, or watching his beloved Altamont Indians.

Bill is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Margaret Fritcher of Altamont; sons, Michael (Cynthia) Fritcher of Brunswick, GA, Kenneth (Amanda) Fritcher of Altamont, William (Julie) Fritcher of Neoga, and Steve (Jenni) Fritcher of Effingham; daughters, Patricia (Dan) Forbes of Trafalgar, IN, Cheryl (Tim) Haworth of Mitchell, IN, Mary (Jerry Smith) Starwalt of Altamont; 25 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren; brothers, Larry (Judy) Fritcher of Bloomington, Dennis (Barbara) Fritcher of St. Elmo, David (Teresa) of Effingham; sisters, Marilyn Smith of Normal; Vicki Osteen of Effingham, Sharon Fritcher of Effingham, Linda Riley of St. Elmo, and Alice Shelton of Normal, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Danny Fritcher, Fred Fritcher, Ted Fritcher, Jack Fritcher, and James E. Fritcher; sisters, Diane Fritcher, Betty Oxier, Judy Hatfill and Shirley Sears.

Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.