Freda May Keys passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.
Freda was born in Cloverdale, Ohio, on January 12, 1936, to the late Edwin and Hilda (Erhart) Miller. Freda grew up on a farm, where she learned the value of hard work. This was a value she carried throughout her entire life to support her seven children. Freda worked various jobs, notably at The State Bank and later at ServiceMaster, where she worked for 25 years.
Surviving are her loving children: Elizabeth (James) Brink of Defiance, Catherine (Daryl) McClish of Dupont, Patrick Fishpaw, Daniel (Debra) Fishpaw, Colleen Clausen, Robert (Ann) Fishpaw, and Penny (Charles) Bakle, all of Defiance. Freda loved all of her children dearly and was immensely proud of them until her last breath. Also surviving are two sisters: Shirley (Paul) Schroeder of Defiance, and Judy Brown of Sherwood. Freda was preceded in death by both of her parents, brother-in-law, Delmar Brown, and one grandchild, Shannon Clausen.
Among all the things that brought Freda joy, perhaps none brought her more happiness than her grandchildren. Freda was the proud grandmother of fifteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. Freda, or Grandma Fritz as she was called, babysat all of her grandchildren, and even numerous neighborhood children, throughout the years. Her grandchildren fondly remember sitting around her kitchen table playing Skip-Bo and Rummy, Grandma Fritz’s back scratches, and quiet time every day when The Young and Restless or The Bold and the Beautiful came on the television.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 24th at the funeral home, with Pastor Larry Kennedy officiating. Freda will be laid to rest at Riverview Memory Gardens.
Memorials are suggested to CHP Defiance Area Hospice, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.
