Freeport
Austin K. "Fritz" Ethridge, 91, of Freeport, died Sunday, May 29, 2016 at Manor Court in Freeport.
Born May 5, 1925 in Lanark he was the son of James and Irma (Butz) Ethridge. He married Florence W. Willett July 15, 1950 and she died January 9, 2011.
Austin was retired from the State of Illinois Department of Transportation.
He was a WWII Marine veteran receiving the Purple Heart.
His memberships included Freeport First United Methodist Church, Lifelong member of American Legion Pearl City and the Pearl City Lions.
Surviving are his sons, Philip (Marty) Ethridge of McAllen, Texas and Paul Ethridge of North Vernon, Indiana; his granddaughter, Abigail Ethridge of Tennessee; his sister, Verda Werkheiser of Pearl City; his brother, Alden Ethridge of Lena; his step brothers, Franklin Slick and Larry (June) Slick.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; 2 brothers; 1 sister; and 2 stepbrothers.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2016 at First United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be 3 to 7 Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Walker Mortuary and 10 a.m. until time of service at the church on Thursday June 3, 2016.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for First United Methodist Church.
Please leave a message in Austin's guestbook at www.walkermortuary.com