William M. Fryback

Max William “Bill” Fryback, 88, a former mayor of Bluffton who also served on the Bluffton City Council, died at 7 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at River Terrace Estates. Mr. Fryback was born June 27, 1921, in Bluffton, to John C. Fryback and Hazel Mae VanCamp Fryback. Her married Dorothy F. Dittmann April 10, 1943, in River Forest, Ill. His wife survives. Also surviving are three children, Jennifer (William) Hilgedag of Indianapolis, John W. Fryback (Teresa King) of Stamford, Conn., and James C. (Stephanie) Fryback of Ossian; a daughter-in-law, Elaine Fryback of Niceville, Fla.; and 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Air Force Lt. Col. C. George Fryback; a grandson, Nicholas George Fryback; and a brother, Clifford Fryback. Mr. Fryback was a lifelong resident of Wells County. He was a 1939 graduate of Bluffton High School and graduated from Purdue University in 1942 with a degree in agriculture. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as an officer in the Transportation Corps in New Orleans. He was discharged with the rank of captain. After his military service, he returned to Bluffton and joined his father at Fryback’s Ice Cream Co. He owned and operated the companyuntil1971. He served as an administrator for the Corning Glass Fund for two years, granting funds to former employees when the local plant closed. Mr. Fryback became a member of City Council in 1958 and served in the position for 16 years. He was elected mayor in the 1971 general election, serving from 1972 to 1980. He was then chosen by a caucus to serve out the final two and a half years of John Flaningam’s second term as mayor from 1985 through 1988 when Mr. Flaningam died in office. He thus served 11 years as mayor. He was an active member of Bluffton’s First Presbyerian Church, having served as elder, deacon, and trustee. He was a charter member and a past president of the Bluffton Lions Club, and was also a past district chairman for the Lions Club. He was a member of American Legion Post 111 in Bluffton. He was a former chairman of the Wells County Democrats. Mr. Fryback was a member of the undefeated 1938 Bluffton High School Hall of Fame football team. He was captain of the football team and a four-year letterman; he was also a four-year letterman on the basketball team. He enjoyed tennis, golf, and bridge as pastimes. He enjoyed many summer weekends at Lake Webster with his friends and his children’s friends. Calling will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at the Thoma/Rich, Chaney and Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. There will be additional calling from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the First Presbyterian Church in Bluffton. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the church with Pastor Robert Madsen officiating. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery, Bluffton, with military graveside rites performed by members of American Legion Post 111. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are to the George Fryback Endowment Fund (make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church) or the Lions International Eye Bank. Online condolences: www.thomarich.com

William M. Fryback

June 27, 1921 - February 8, 2010