Lois Jean Fritz, nee Schmidt, 95, of Belleville, IL, born October 14, 1930, in Belleville, IL, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026, at St. Paul’s Senior Community, Belleville, IL.
Lois was a lifelong and devoted member of First Christian Church in Belleville, where her faith was reflected in her faithful service to others. For many years, she cared for little ones in the nursery and helped with VBS. She worked alongside her husband as a youth sponsor, served in the church kitchen for countless events, and was always ready to lend a hand wherever she was needed. Lois worked for years at the Mother’s Day Out program, providing loving care for many children. She also took a special interest in Bond Christian Service Camp in Mulberry Grove, IL, and gave her time and energy there as well.
At home, Lois was a loving homemaker and wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. One cherished family tradition was serving strawberry shortcake for the main course at dinner on the first strawberry harvest of the year, a sweet celebration everyone enjoyed. “If you were still hungry, you could make a peanut butter sandwich,” she said. To be sure, her greatest joy was raising her children and providing a godly home for her family. She also enjoyed camping with her family and, in her free time, doing counted cross stitch.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 40 years, Robert Lee Fritz, whom she married in 1949, and who died in 1989; her son-in-law, Gary Monroe; her two grandchildren, Raymond R. Fritz and Sara Jean Fritz; and her five siblings, Joyce Ann Schmidt, LeRoy (Joy) Schmidt, Gene (Betty) Schmidt, Donald Schmidt, and Barbara (Al) Weidemann.
Surviving are her daughter, Debora Monroe; her son, Robert (Patti) Fritz; three grandchildren, Andrew (Raina) Fritz, Josh (Cara) Monroe, and Elizabeth “Libbi” (Jordan) Sweet; six great-grandchildren, Rafferty, Rosey, and Evey Fritz, Theodore and Mary Monroe, and Harper Gray Sweet; a sister-in-law, Jean Schmidt; many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many wonderful friends.
Special thanks to dear friend Cindy Killion, who took Lois to and from church for many years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Christian Church, Belleville, IL, or to the Bond Christian Service Camp, Mulberry Grove, IL. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2026, at First Christian Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2026, at First Christian Church, Belleville, IL, with Pastor Richard Bersett officiating.
Burial will be held at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
