John T.F. Friend, age 75, of New Philadelphia, passed away in his home early Thursday, December 5, 2024, after a period of declining health.
Born in Charleston, West Virginia on February 21, 1949, John was the son of the late John T. Friend and Ingeburg W. (Dorr) Friend.
John grew up in Canton, Ohio, graduating from Timken Vocational High School. He worked many places in his younger years, like Myers Lake Park, pumping gas, tending bar, and factory work at Automatic Steel Products, and ultimately retiring from Canton Drop Forge.
John loved working on cars with his Dad. He was a big fan of NASCAR racing until 2001 (RIP #3), all sports especially Indians Baseball (Let’s Go!), and he was an avid fisherman (best way to spend a day).
John is survived by his children; Dana (Terry) Lockett of Canton, Erica (Piersten Smallwood) Friend of Canton, and John W. Friend of Canton; his siblings, Barbara Jean Stallman of Seattle, Washington, Donna Kay Keith-Friend of New Philadelphia, Rosemarie (John) Hirning of Dover, Michael (Roz) Friend of Jensen Beach, Florida, and David (Colleen) Friend of Mineral City; 3 grandchildren, Stoney Lockett, Jayla (John) Vandruff, and Elyjah Friend; 2 great-grandchildren, Riley Dedrick, and Dane Vandruff; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Friend; and grandson, Evan Friend.
In keeping with his wishes, John’s cremation care will be entrusted to Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home and Crematory. An inurnment will be held at a later date in German Cemetery at Mineral City.
Memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to Ohio’s Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.
Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory
116 Second Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
www.geibfuneral.com
Geib Funeral Service
5600 North Wooster Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622
Geib Pet Crematory
5600 North Wooster Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622
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