Family Heritage

Yesterday morning at 4:25 a.m. my grandfather, Mahlon Fry, passed peacefully into God's presence. He is a portion of his obituary.

Mahlon M. Fry, 88 of Maytown, formerly of Elizabethtown, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at Longwood Manor in Maytown. Born in Warwick Twp., he was the son of the late John H. and Clara M. Miller Fry. He was the husband of Catharine M. Heisey Fry of Maytown. They were married for 67 years in April 2008.

A dairy farmer most of his life, Mr. Fry was later employed by George's Woodcrafts, Inc. of Marietta and had stands for collectibles at Saturday's Market, and Meadow Brook Farmers Market.

He was a member of Faith Bible Church in Mount Joy and was known for his bible knowledge and teaching.

In addition to his wife, Catharine, he is survived by three sons, John H., husband of Arlene Fry, Elizabethtown; Robert L., husband of Joyce Fry, missionaries in Portugal; and James D., husband of Pat Fry, Elizabethtown; seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

My grandfather was the head of a very Christian family, with all his sons and daughter-and-laws and grandchildren and even great-grandchildren having made professions of Christian faith, at least those who have reached the age of understanding what that's all about. Many of the family are serving in vocational Christian service. My grandfather himself was saved sometime around the age of 7, after his father (my great-grandfather, whom I remember a little bit) converted out of Roman Catholicism when he was that age. (At least that's how I remember the story!)

Many of the family will be flying in from all over to give tribute to his life and the God he served this Friday evening. We are sad to see him go, but happy that he is now with the Lord he loves.