Freddie Oliver "Fred" Kretzer

Sharpsburg, MD – Freddie Oliver “Fred” Kretzer, 82, of Sharpsburg, MD passed away on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at his home.

He was born on January 18, 1936 in Antietam Furnace, Maryland the youngest child of the late Oliver Franklin and Rebecca Mae Jamison Kretzer.

Fred attended Antietam and Sharpsburg Elementary and Boonsboro Senior High Schools excelling in sports.  His special interest was playing baseball and at the Kiwanis League of 13-14 year olds was the beginning.  He then joined many local leagues in Keedysville and Sharpsburg and many other co-independent local leagues.

Fred served in the U.S. Army from Sept. 4, 1958-Aug. 3, 1962.

Fred’s first jobs were in building construction, then an entirely different job at the MP Moller Pipe Organ Music Company where he met his first wife, Wilma Jean Metz Kretzer who preceded him in death in 1991.  In 1970, his application was accepted at the CSX  Railroad working in the shops in the Brunswick & Baltimore area.  Fred retired from the CSX Railroad in 1999.  His interest was to build his new home, which he helped build. 

He was a member of Manor Church of the Brethren Tilghmanton, MD.

He was also a member of Brunswick Masonic Lodge #191 AF&AM Brunswick, MD, BPO Elks Lodge #378 Hagerstown, MD, Dixon-Troxell American Legion Post #211 Funkstown, MD for 28 years, life member of McClellan Gun Club Keedysville, MD.  Fred was a master Marksman.

Fred was the beloved husband of Betty Jane Sprecher Otto-Kretzer, they spent 11 beautiful years together.  This is when Fred started a new sport with Betty bowling at Sunshine Lanes in Pennsylvania.  Fred became an avid bowler until his illness.

Fred and Betty enjoyed feeding and watching birds during breakfast. 

Fred is survived by his special niece Audrey J. Spielman; great nephews Kevin Morgan, Jeff Morgan, Mike Zimmerman; great nieces Tracey Plasterer, Holly Kulikowski, Carol Allen, and Jacquie Richardson.

He was predeceased by two sisters Anna Mae Whitlock and Mary V. Morgan, brother George F. Kretzer, nephews Dick and Tom Morgan, and Betty’s son Kirk T. Otto.

The family will receive friends at the Osborne Funeral Home 425 S. Conococheague St. Williamsport, MD on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 from 7:00-9:00 pm.  The funeral home will be open after 9:00 am on Wednesday for the convenience of family and friends. A masonic service will be held at 7:30 pm by Brunswick Masonic Lodge # 191 AF&AM.

Funeral services will be held at Osborne Funeral Home 425 S. Conococheague St. Williamsport, MD on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Joy Zepp officiating.  Interment will be in Mt. View Cemetery Sharpsburg, MD.

Memorial donations may be made to: Manor Church of the Brethren 18511 Manor Church Rd. Boonsboro, MD 21713, Hospice of Washington County 747 Northern Ave. Hagerstown, MD 21742, Humane Society of Washington County 13011 Maugansville Rd. Hagerstown, MD  21740

Online condolences may be made to the family at:

www.osbornefuneralhome.net

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