Frederick Joseph Bloss Sr.

Frederick Joseph Bloss, Sr., 95 of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter, Mary Jo, surrounded by his family on the morning of July 25, 2020. Fred was born at home in Murphysboro, Illinois April 16, 1925 to Daniel Elliot and Julie (Cantillon) Bloss and welcomed by his sister Helen, his only sibling. His birth was a few weeks after the historic Tri-State Tornado that devastated Murphysboro. His father Daniel was crucial to restoring the towns water pumping systems to fight the resulting fires. Fred moved with his family to Aurora, Illinois (his great-grandfather Daniel was an early settler of the town) at the age of 3 where he grew up and played football for East Aurora High School. He entered the Navy from high school and served during World War II in the Pacific Arena as an Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class (Engine Mechanic) and achieved the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. Upon his return home he continued his education at Aurora College and Vickers School of Industrial Hydraulics. He worked as a Fireman on steam engines on the Illinois Central Rail Road and became a Service and Sales Engineer at Pines Engineering Co. in Aurora and later for Eaton Leonard in Carlsbad, California. He was fondly know as "Mister Pipe Bender" and a member of the Elks, Knights of Columbus and Toastmasters. He met his true love Rita Anne Miller in Aurora, Illinois and they were married on October 15, 1949 at Holy Angels Church in Aurora. In 1951 he was called back to service during the Korean War. Rita and Fred were happily married for almost 70 years until Rita's passing April 7, 2019. They raised 3 children, Frederick "Rick" Bloss, Jr., Mary Joan "Jo" Beckerich, Mary Kathryn "Kay" Bloss. He moved his family to Columbus, Indiana where they made numerous friends and his children graduated from high school. After that, they went to sunny Southern California where he worked for Eaton Leonard Engineering and made many more friends. He retired in California. In 2005 they returned to Indiana to be near family. In Indianapolis they joined St. Pius X Catholic Church, they spent many hours at Prime Life in Carmel, enjoyed traveling and working on hobbies with Rita and hanging out with the Beckerich's and their extended families. Fred is known for his work ethic, kindness, patience, intelligence and always having his note pad and pen in his front shirt pocket. He loved being around family and appreciated a "free" meal! He was a witty person and enjoyed a good laugh and a good book. He was dearly loved and he will be dearly missed. Fred is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Helen Edwards and her husband Robert "Bob", his beloved wife Ritanne, and his son Frederick "Rick". Fred is survived by his twin daughters, Jo (Bill) Beckerich and Kay Bloss; Rick's wife Colieta; grandchildren, Haley, Caitlin, Laura, Heidi and Blake; great-grandchildren, Eli, Ellie, Everett, and Callum; nieces and nephews, Jeff, Ruth, Kathy, Kevin, Mark, Kris, Beth, John, Barbara, Mardi, Lisa, Laurie, Julie, Peter and Michael. In lieu of flowers please say a Rosary for Fred.