March 14, 1936 ~ January 14, 2024

Frederic “Fred” John Trofholz, 87, of Central City died on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Litzenberg Long Term Care in Central City.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date at the Grand Island City Cemetery.

Fred was born March 14, 1936 in Healdton, Oklahoma to Frederic and Laura (Czapla) Trofholz.

Fred grew up in Columbus where he attended St. Bonaventure Schools. As a youth, Fred played baseball. He left high school early and joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the Korean War on board the USS Yorktown.

Fred married Evelyn “Faye” McPhillips at Blessed Sacrament Church in Grand Island. To this marriage he had two children, a daughter Christine and a son Frederic. Faye passed away in 1959.

Fred married Phyllis Collins on April 13, 1968 in Sunfield, Michigan to which a daughter Stacey was born. Phyllis passed away in 2014.

Fred worked for AT&T and Michigan Bell Telephone for over 30 years installing and repairing telephone lines and circuits before finally residing in the Lansing, Michigan area. He then spent another 15 years working as real estate appraiser in the Lansing area before retiring to Papillion in 2014. His last few weeks were spent at Litzenberg Long Term Care in Central City to be near a majority of his family. He was a long time member of the Veteran’s for Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Always a kid at heart, he liked to scuba dive, restore cars, and play softball well into his mid-70’s.

Fred is survived by his daughters and son, 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, his sister Carol Kehm of Kirkland, Washington and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his wives Faye and Phyllis, and his sister Audrey Brandfas.