Obituary

Charles Francis “Fritz” Maine, Jr., 92, of Charleston, WV, died at Inpatient Hubbard Hospice on Saturday, August 19, 2023.

Born on October 30, 1930, Fritz, the oldest of four brothers, was the son of the late Charles Francis Maine, Sr. and Sadie Alice (Diehl) Maine. He was preceded in death by brothers David T. “Terry” Maine and Keith Arden Maine. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Louise Still Maine, in 1988.

Surviving is his second wife of 17 years, Patricia Posey-Maine; two sons, Parker Maine (wife Catherine) and Mark Maine (wife Joy); a granddaughter, Ashley Maine, and brother, Michael Maine.

At a young age, Fritz took up delivery of a morning and evening newspaper in his hometown of Keyser, WV. By the time he was a high school senior, he was delivering all the routes in town. He was encouraged by the newspaper owner to become distribution manager and give the routes to other youngsters. Fritz received his education from Potomac State College, West Virginia University, and University of Virginia, holding a master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950-1952.

Fritz and Louise Still married in 1956. Their two sons were born while he was completing his master’s degree. Fritz was elected president of the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association (NRCA) in 1965, and, during that year, the family traveled to almost all of the states, meeting with state NRCA members. In 1985, he was conferred the rank of Fellow by the NRCA, one of only 25 at that time in the country. Fritz joined Pat Posey as a co-owner of West Virginia’s first private rehabilitation company in 1983. He returned to state rehabilitation upon Louise’s death and retired in 1995. In 1986, Fritz was appointed to the new WV Board of Examiners in Counseling, serving two terms as secretary. He served as member of the WV Silver Haired Congress during the 1990s.

Fritz always enjoyed basketball and football games. He and his sons were frequently in touch over the years about upcoming WVU games. As youngsters, his sons played Little League baseball and Fritz coached a team. He would still reminisce about those days and his strategies for winning.

Fritz was known for his quick wit. With a twinkle, he would make a quip that was sure to get a smile from those around him. Although not tech savvy, Fritz conquered YouTube to watch comedy shows of years gone by. Even during this last hospitalization, the nurses noted his good humor.

During his retirement years, Fritz always had several projects that kept him busy. He liked to build, refinish, and paint furniture. He and Pat built a set of sixteen concrete steps from one level to another in their backyard. Just before his accident, he was doing shrubbery trimming and yardwork, as well as puttering in his ‘Man Cave.’ He was also the resident dishwasher. His special color was red. Red cupboards on the carport, a red roof and red car, as well as many shirts of varying reds attested to his love of the color.

Fritz, though not a traditional churchgoer, was a baptized Christian and, during his formative years, was active in the Keyser Presbyterian Church. During recent years, before the pandemic, he was a regular attendee in two Bible study groups, and attended services conducted by his friend, Dr. Glenn Mathews of Revival Crusade, when Glenn was in this area.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to Revival Crusade, P.O. Box 145, Charleston, WV 25321.

His funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 noon on Monday, August 28, 2023, at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV.

Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

Fritz will be interred in Potomac Memorial Garden cemetery, Keyser, WV, alongside his first wife, Louise, at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.