JONATHAN FANDRICH
Jonathan Fandrich was born on March 2, 1920, and passed to his heavenly home on December 11, 2016, at the age of 96 years.
Jonathan was born to John and Fredricka Fandrich on their homestead near Kief, North Dakota. The family farmed until 1936 when they moved to California settling in Victor CA. Once settled, John went to work for the Winfield Montgomery Ranch outside of Lockeford, CA. and later worked for the Camino Sawmill in Camino CA.
John entered the service in 1941, serving with the US Army in World War II as a Sergeant with the 457th Ordinance Evacuation Co. in the European Theater. He was part of the original invasion at Normandy and served in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. John had a unique place in history as he served as Interpreter to the US Generals and interpreted the command for the Germans to surrender.
John met his wife, Ardella Martin, while living in North Dakota, and they continued their friendship in Lodi, marrying on July 11, 1947. This past year they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. Following their marriage, John worked for the Claude C Wood Company and then began barber school. Upon his completion of school, he worked for his brother and later opened his own shop in Stockton on Harding Way. He retired in 1990 at the age of 70, having operated that shop for 40 years.
The pride and joy of John’s life were his daughters, Kathleen and Marilyn. Besides helping his daughters, John enjoyed being with family, work- ing on cars and motors, building things needed around the house, tinkering in electronics and radios, and working in the yard – which he did until 2015. John also enjoyed being involved at the First Baptist Church, participating in the church choirs, serving as an usher and participating in the upkeep of the church building by painting and helping with other projects. John loved to work outdoors and also enjoyed the occasional family fishing trips to Bucks Lake and Silver Lake and truly enjoyed the family vacation time spent at Lake Tahoe or driving to North Dakota. Following his retirement, he and Ardella spent several harvest seasons on the family farm in North Dakota helping with the harvest, driving tractor and hauling grain.
Jonathan was preceded in death by his parents, John and Fredricka Fandrich; his brothers Emil, Samuel, Reuben, Arthur and Edwin; his sisters, Blondene Krueger, Melitta Sivell, and Eleanor Bischel; and infant son, Jerome.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years and the love of his life Ardella; his daughter, Kathleen Edelblute and son in law, Jeffrey Edelblute; his daughter, Marilyn Rahlf and son-in-law, Robert Rahlf; his granddaughter, Alissa Robison Vargas (Jon); grandson, Andrew Robison (Amanda); grandsons, Jason Edelblute (Christine) and Christopher Rahlf; 2 greatgrandsons, William Edelblute and Joseph Vargas; and 2 great-granddaughters, Elizabeth Edelblute and Lily Robison; and his brother, Alvin Fandrich; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Lodi Funeral Home. Committal will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 16, 2016, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Lodi, 267 N. Mills Avenue, Lodi, CA 95242. Donations may be made in John’s memory to Optimal Hospice Foundation, 3461 Brookside Road Suite A2, Stockton CA 95219. A guest book may be signed at http:// www.lodifuneralhome.com.
Please sign the guest book at www.lodinews.com/guestbook.