Richard J. 'Joe' Fromm

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Richard J. "Joe" Fromm, 68, of Ridgway, died peacefully on Thursday, March 3, 2011, in the Ridgway Rehab Center, surrounded by his family.

Joe, as most knew him, was born on the family farm northeast of Ridgway on Dec. 18, 1942, to the late Ed and Stella (Raben) Fromm. Joe was a member of the St. Joseph Church in Ridgway and a Third Degree member of the Ridgway Knights of Columbus. He worked and retired from Trelleborg Industries in Carmi after 25 years of employment. He also had farmed and after retirement, help deliver meals to the elderly and shut-ins for Golden Circle and delivered medicine for the Medicine Shoppe.

Joe and his brothers are also remembered for their famous Fromm Bros. BBQ. Joe was a big sports fan, but was truly a Gallatin County Hawk basketball fan. He was always willing to help others and will be greatly missed by the community.

Joe is survived by three daughters, Barb (Alan) Pearce of Norris City, Karen (Charlie) Boulds of Eldorado and Mary Ann (Dennis) Hughes of Metropolis; one son, Randy Fromm of Eldorado; two brothers, David (Margie) Fromm of Ridgway and Carl (Sally) Fromm of Columbia, Mo.; and his loving companion, Jane Brazier of Ridgway. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Jerry and Ronnie Fromm.

Visitation for Joe will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2011, at the Cox and Son Funeral Home in Ridgway where a prayer service will be held at 5 p.m. Funeral Mass for Joe will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 7, 2011, at the St. Joseph Church in Ridgway with Fr. Steven Beatty as celebrant. Interment will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the St. Joseph Ball Field in his memory.

You may leave a note of comfort to the family at the Internet site www.coxandson.com