STRAUGHN- Lela June (Huddleston) Fries, 97, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday afternoon, January 13th, 2024. She had been a resident of Addison Place in New Castle since March of 2023. A daughter of the late Jesse and Julia (Petty) Huddleston, Lela was born in Straughn, Indiana on June 15th, 1926. She graduated with her six classmates from Straughn High School in 1944. Lela married the love of her life, Wilfred Franklin Fries on August 27th, 1950, at the Salem United Methodist Church north of Straughn. Lela and Wilfred moved to Willoughby, Ohio for his work and spent over thirty-four years there. While in Willoughby, Lela worked as a floral designer and continued to do floral arranging throughout her life. Lela had also done clerical work at American Central and National Metal Products in Connersville. Lela and Wilfred returned to the Straughn area in 1984 and she became an active member of the Salem United Methodist Church where she was also treasurer. In her leisure time, Lela enjoyed crocheting, crafting, playing cards, reading, and trying out new restaurants with her girlfriends. Lela had an adventurous spirit and at the age of ninety-two, she took a hot air balloon ride and a motorcycle ride in the sidecar. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother and a "Ma-Mom" to many. She lived a good life and will be missed.

Survivors include two children, Howard Franklin Fries and Elaine Kaye Fries; three grandchildren, Adam (Jackie), Noah (Ida) and Melissa; three great grandchildren, Ava, Owen, and Howard; nieces and nephews. Lela was preceded in death by her husband of nearly forty-five years, Wilfred on May 21st,1995; 3 siblings, Ruth Sarver on May 4th, 1998, Eugene Huddleston on Oct. 5th, 2015, and Verda Huddleston on May 13th, 2020.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral services at Noon on Friday January 19th, 2024, at Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home, Dublin. Pastors Teri Ditsler and Rob Upchurch will officiate. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Cambridge City.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Salem United Methodist Church- c/o Cheri McCholey- 905 E. Main Street/ Lewisville, IN  47362.

Online condolences can be made anytime at www.marshallanderleweinfuneralhome.com.