Kevin Wayne Fritch

Kevin Wayne Fritch, 65 of Piedmont, MO, passed away peacefully at his residence on his birthday, November 27, 2025. He was born November 27, 1960, to parents Robert "Bob" Franklin and Marian Loraine (Schmidgall) Fritch in Bloomington, IL.

There is so much to say about Kevin. He lived a life of kindness and dedication to God, his family and his community.

He was a graduate of Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School in 1979. Here he met the love of his life, Dianne Grimes and they were married on June 28, 1980. They spent a lovely life building a family and enjoying what God had to offer. Kevin also attended Illinois Central College before leaving early and moving to Wyoming to work for Getty Oil. He was a mechanic by trade and worked on heavy industrial machines. The majority of his working years were spent  at Triumph Aerospace in Texas, from where he earned an early retirement after 33 years. Kevin and Dianne raised their family in Quinlan, Texas, where Kevin spent 24 years on the Quinlan ISD Board of Trustees, he volunteered for many years with QSA and coached little league football, basketball, baseball and umpired for 40 years.

He had traveled as often as possible from Quinlan to Mackinaw, stopping in Wayne County Missouri to visit cousins along the way. When retirement came, to be closer to his parents, Piedmont was the desired destination. Kevin’s time here has been a blessing to him.

In more recent years, he enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s games, watching sports with them, and spending each day working on projects around his home with his wife. Dianne has kept him busy, and his only limitation was her imagination.

Kevin was steady, dependable, and deeply devoted to his family and community. He was a quiet man who guided his family in an unassuming way that built bonds.  

Kevin is survived by his loving wife of forty five years;  children: Derrick Fritch and wife Crystal of Quinlan, TX and Nicole Ottwell and husband Jordan of Piedmont; Richard LaRue who was raised as a son and his Fiancé Bree of Quinlan, TX;  grandchildren: Jeffry Fritch, Raven Smith, Jackson Ottwell, Jett Ottwell, Jase “Bob” Otwell, and Elena LaRue; his great-grandchildren: Sailor and Mara-Jade; his loving mother;  siblings: Kim Fritch and wife Lori of Deer Creek, IL and Valerie Stiers and husband Jim of Mackinaw, IL., nieces, nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father. Private memorial services was held November 29, 2025. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

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