Robert E. Fretz;69;of 35 Monessen Blvd.;Monessen;died Thursday;July 25;1996;in Mon Valley Hospital;following a lengthy illness. Born July 24;1927;in Monessen;he was the son of the late George and Marion Campbell Fretz. A veteran of World War II;Mr.Fretz had served with the U.S.Navy. He was employed as a pattern maker at the former Combustion Engineering prior to his retirement in 1988. Mr.Fretz was a member of the United Methodist Church;Monessen;and Monessen Lodge 638 F&AM. He was a life member of the Hilltop Firemen. In addition to his parents;he was preceded in death by a brother;Gilbert Pender. Surviving are his wife;Claire Jones Fretz;two daughters;Leslie Murphy of Monessen and Beth Morgan of Belle Vernon;four grandchildren;Amy and Tom Murphy and Lauren and Alyson Coccari;two sisters;Beatrice Notman of Pittsburgh and Verna Frazier of Baltimore;Md. Friends will be received Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.in the Rhome Funeral Home Inc.;1209 Grand Blvd.;Monessen. Services will be held Saturday at noon in the chapel of the funeral home with the Rev.William Gawlas officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Rhome Funeral Home Inc.