Obituary of John F. Fretchel

John “Jack” F. Fretchel, age 76 of Claymont, DE died on December 30, 2023 at Riddle Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Born to John & Isabelle McClintock Fretchel, John was a lifelong resident of Claymont, DE. He graduated from Claymont High School, Class of 1966. John attended Widener College before joining Millwright Union Local 1906 (now Local 219) in 1967. For many years, he was a trustee, treasurer, and member of the entertainment committee for the Union. He hosted many Millwright Christmas parties for members and their children.  He taught the Millwright apprentice program for 8 years.  After retirement, he served as a subject matter expert  for new textbooks for Millwrights on Mechanical Power Transmission Systems. John was a 50-year member of the Masons in Chester Lodge 709 F&AM (formerly Chester Lodge 236) and a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Wilmington.  He was active in DeMolay International, where he served as an advisor.  John was a father of two, Jill & Jack. He was an active member of the Home and School Association early on and the Citizens Advisory Committee at Brandywine School District. In addition, he coached both children in Little League for many years.  In his spare time, John enjoyed working around the house. He was a Jack of all trades, as he enjoyed all types of woodworking and tinkering in the garage. John loved watching the Phillies and the Eagles, but more than that, he was an avid fan of whoever was playing the Cowboys. John’s true passions were his family and Disney World. In his later life, he spent much of the year at his home in Central Florida. He could often be found at any of the Disney parks or sailing the Caribbean on the Disney Cruise Line with his family. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his son, Jack C. Fretchel who died in 2016 and his brother, Jeffery A. Fretchel, who died in 2017. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Betty Ann Fretchel (nee Wilson), daughter, Jill Kitterman and her husband Glenn, and 3 granddaughters, Erica & Ashley Kitterman and Noelle Fretchel.  A viewing will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2023, 9:30-11:00AM at the Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Rd. Garnet Valley, PA followed by a funeral service at 11AM. Interment will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (http://www.lls.org). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com