Paul J. Fries, 91, a lifelong Columbia City resident, died at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at his home after battling a long illness.

He was born Sept. 6, 1923, in Fort Wayne, the third of eight children of Leo J. and Ella Marie (Perry) Fries. He attended Thorncreek Elementary and graduated from Columbia City High School in 1941.

On Feb. 1, 1954, he was united in marriage to Nancy C. Van Holten. While helping his father with farming, Paul managed a poultry business with the help of his family. They sold poultry at the old Barr Street Market in Fort Wayne. They also sold to other wholesale and retail businesses from 1944 to 1950. Paul attended Indiana University, Fort Wayne and graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington in 1950 with an Bachelor degree in chemistry and zoology. Paul and Nancy managed the Barrel Drive-In in Columbia City from 1951 until 1958, when the business was sold. In August 1959, they moved to their farm in Thorncreek Township.

In addition to farming, in 1960 Paul began teaching science and math at Thorncreek Center School while attending St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, receiving his master’s degree in education in 1967. Paul retired from teaching at Thorncreek in 1989 and continued farming in his retirement years. He spent his final years fishing, cheering on his favorite sports teams and enjoying family events, gatherings and holidays.

Paul was dedicated to the Columbia City community and his family. He was an active member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, Indiana Retired Teachers Association and a long-time member of Kiwanis.

Surviving relatives include his wife of 61 years: Nancy; six children: William (Jackie) Fries and Karen Fries, both of Columbia City; Mary (Marty) Waterman, Hyde Park, Vt.; Tim (Maelynn) Fries, Ron Fries and Amy (Edwardo Galvan) Fries, all of Columbia City; six grandchildren; a brother: Dr. George Fries, Marion; and Genevieve Mason, Huntington.

A brother and four sisters: Catherine Fries, Rosella Wait, Margaret Fries, John Fries and Helen Murphy, preceded him in death.

The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 30, at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S. Line St., Columbia City, with visitation after 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 30. The burial will be in Catholic Cemetery. The visitation will also be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, with a prayer service at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Preferred memorials are to Passages of Whitley County, St. Paul of the Cross Faith in Action Fund or St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank.