Jimmie "retires" from Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio
Pianist Jimmie Fruchey of Cridersville recently reached the "coda" of his piano-playing years as an entertainer at Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio.
For the past 13 years Fruchey performed monthly as a volunteer for MHCO residents. Actually Bluffton is just one of his monthly gigs. He has also entertained in 10 area homes for seniors.
Fruchey recalls that he was drawn to Maple Crest Senior Living Village when it opened in 1999 when his sister, who lived across the street from MMH, encouraged him to visit.
"I was moved by the positive response I received," he said about residents responding to his music, noting the pleasure that hearing old favorites, secular and sacred, brought to the elders.
Fruchey is never surprised to discover that words to songs come easily to MHCO residents, as he has long believed that "music touches the soul" and sticks there.
With his retirement, three-quarters of "Music with Jimmie" draws to a close. For 75 years, Fruchey has performed on the piano across the United States.
As a youngster Fruchey said that he would sit down at his mother's 100-year-old piano - which had a keyboard with no ivory remaining on it - and play the tunes he heard on the radio.
By age 5, he was sponsored by Gulbransen Piano Co. of Columbus Grove, to play piano on the street. Later, he spent 25 years sharing his easy-listening music with the inmates of the San Quentin Prison in California.
Fruchey admits his retirement may not really be his swan song. "I'll be on call for special occasions," he said.
Stories Posted This Week
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025
Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Bluffton University names Dr. J. Alexander Sider as next President
- GLP-1s and weight loss: Impact on muscles
- Check out August 2025 at Bluffton Public Library
- Discovery Days prize drawing results, check your tickets
- Wesley “Wes” Allen Leightner worked for Phillips
- How floundering Cards should deal at deadline
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
- Letter: BOHS work night at the Depot, July 30
- County park district considers name change, invites feedback
- Teen vaccine clinic at Bluffton Middle School, August 18
- State of Ohio expands commercial truck parking at US 30 rest areas
- National Night Out celebration is August 5
- Bluffton council hears neighbor concerns about proposed school practice field
- GROB Systems to host 5-AXIS LIVE! with 21 industry partners on Aug. 5