Neal W. "Fritz" Frederick

Neal W. Frederick was born July 6, 1922, to Andrew and Hazel Arndt Frederick at Beatrice, Nebraska. He left this life on March 29, 2015, at the age of 92.

The family lived on a ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska until his father died at a young age. His mother returned to Beatrice with her children. He graduated from Fairbury High School in 1941, where he played High School Football. From 1941 to 1942, Neal worked for the Hested Store Co. at Fairbury. He entered into active service with the U. S. Navy on December 17, 1942, and was discharged on January 29, 1946. He was united in marriage to Darlene Shinn on February 10, 1946.

For many years his career was a rural mail carrier for the Fairbury Post Office. However, he was able to devote some of his time to real estate which included building houses for his family at 810 14th Street, 2321 K Street, the A Frame east of Fairbury, the earth home on the PWF Road and the last one being the home across from the Country Club. He also built a house for his in-laws at 1401 G St. Then Darlene and he also restored older homes to their former glory including the Baker home on Oak St., the Chatelain home on E St., the Thurber home on I St., the Hackbarth home on D St., and their pride and joy the Kesterson home on 4th St. He and Darlene furnished the Kesterson home with unique antiques and gave tours of the home.

He and Darlene dealt with antiques for many, many years. They had their business and home at the Old Church at 6th and I Streets; remodeled the Onyx Hotel into a shop, their home and apartments; started the Chicken House Antique store on the west side of the square with their good friends Wayne and Nola Paap and resided upstairs; remodeled the building on West Highway 136 for an antique mall; and most recently were active dealers at Memories and More Antique Mall.

Besides his work, real estate ventures and antiquing, he and Darlene loved to square dance, were active members of the Fairbury Christian Church, were curators of the Fairbury City Museum and were instrumental in the acquisition of the present building and the rural schoolhouse, was also an approximate 25-year member of the Fairbury Cemetery Association, raised a big garden and loved to visit.

Survivors are son Fred and cousins.

Preceded in death by his parents and wife Darlene.

Services will be Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at First Christian Church in Fairbury with Darlene Novotny officiating. Memorials will go to the Family's Choice. Burial will be in Fairbury Cemetery. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.