John W. Friend

John Wayde Friend, 80, of Galion passed away peacefully, at Mill Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation, on Thursday, July 26, 2018. Born August 11, 1937 to Ransler W. and Agnes P. (Mizic/Mizich) Friend, in Allison, PA. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Kathryn M. (Sturtz).



John is survived by his children; Brenda (Tim) Brown of Cleveland, John (Kim) Friend Jr. of Cleveland, Carol (David) Rinehart of Galion, Thomas Friend of North Ridgeville and Laura (Jeff) Brown of Springfield. Loving Grandfather to Megan & Matthew Brown, John (JW) Friend, Kaci & Kalvin Rinehart, Griffin, Sydney & Logan Friend, and Samantha & Brett Brown.

John will be missed by his brothers; James C. (Marie) Friend of New Salem, PA and Jerald D. (Peggy) Friend of Lamberton, PA., as well as a host of loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and long-time friends. He was preceded in death by his sister Patricia A. Friend of Loudonville, and his brothers: Paul R. Friend of Hopwood, PA; Ransler “Buck” Friend of Aliquippa, PA; and Ronald M. Friend of Republic, PA.



John spent his childhood in Lamberton, PA., at a young age he left for Cleveland where he lived with his Aunt Theresa “Blanche” Dillinger and cousin Jim Dillinger (both deceased). John became a Wiring Apprentice with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and in 1964 he began working for Cleveland Public Power. In 1988 he became the Assistant Superintendent, John retired from CPP in 1994. John and his wife Kathy built their dream home on Candlewood Lake in Mount Gilead, Ohio, where they retired together.



John was mechanically minded and could accomplish anything he set his mind to do, he shared this ability with his boys. Blessed with the gift of the gab, John will be remembered for his ability find something in common with everyone he met. He had a love of bowling, camping, birdwatching, outdoor family activities, and dancing. In recent years he was a member of Hicks and Chicks Square Dancing Club. Most recently, he was a member of the Mt. Gilead Senior Center.



Over the years John served on committees at Candlewood Lake and was a Deacon and Trustee at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cleveland. In 2005-06 John quietly returned to school to earn his GED from Mansfield High School, he was a member of the National Adult Education Honor Society.



John’s family will receive friends on Friday, August 3rd from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, OH 44820 where his funeral will be held Saturday at 11:00 am. He will be laid to rest in Union Cemetery, Sulphur Springs, where he will join his wife.



Memorial donations may be made payable to St. Paul Lutheran North Robinson or to the Lymphoma Research and Education at The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSU) and sent to the funeral home. Memories can be shared on John’s Tribute Wall.