Phyllis A. Fry, 95
Orrville — Phyllis A. Fry, age 95, of Orrville, died Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Reedville, Virginia, following a period of declining health.
Phyllis was born on July 28, 1928, in Long Beach, California, to the late Carl and Lois (Bauer) Johnson. She graduated from Phineas Banning High School, Wilmington, CA, in 1946, Iowa State University in 1950, with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Home Economics, and from The University of Akron in 1970, with a Master’s of Education in Guidance and Counseling. She married Harry J. Fry on July 23, 1950, in Wilmington, CA. Harry died on April 8, 2020. She had been a resident of Orrville since 1967.
She worked as a Home Service Director for Southern Counties Gas Company in San Pedro, CA, while her husband served in the Army during the Korean War. When her daughters were young, she was a Girl Scout Leader and taught cake decorating classes in their home. In Orrville she taught 5th grade Social Studies and Geography and 6th grade General Science at Maple Street School for three years. She earned her Master’s degree from Akron U and then became a guidance counselor at Orrville High School for the following 23 years, retiring in 1993. During her career she was awarded the Martha Holden Jennings Award.
Phyllis was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, singing in the choir and serving on many different committees through the years. At Trinity she was active in Sunday School, and the Priscilla Circle. She also helped in the church office and in preparing meals as needed. She served on the Orrville Area United Way Board for six years, was a member of the Nomad Club, and regularly donated blood. She was a loving wife and mother, and enjoyed being with her family, traveling, reading, cooking, sewing, quilting, knitting, playing Bridge, and being with friends.
Surviving are her three daughters, Peggy (Bill) Kelsey of Austin, TX; Kathy (Ray) Green of Springfield, VA; and Karen (David) Neily of Reedville, VA; seven grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and a brother, James (Ann) Johnson of Walnut Creek, CA.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Alan Fry; and a sister, Doris Davis.
Friends may call on Monday, September 25, 2023, from 10:00 to 10:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1556 Rex Drive, Orrville, OH 44667.
Services will follow at 10:30 am on September 25, at Trinity United Methodist Church and live-streamed at facebook.com/aublefuneralhome, with Pastor Paul Simonson officiating. A luncheon will be held immediately after the service in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will take place at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.
In lieu of flowers, you may want to donate money to The Yosemite Conservancy, 101 Montgomery Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104, yosemite.org, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, OH 44691, ohioshospicelifecare.org, or Trinity United Methodist Church, 1556 Rex Drive, Orrville, OH 44667, orrvilletrinity.org.
Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is handling the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
