Jack Lee Friend

Jack Lee Friend, 84, of Punxsutawney, passed away at home on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

He was born in Tunnelton, West Virginia on October 10, 1939, the son of the late Lee Ernest Friend and Dolly (Bolyard) Friend.

On May 11, 1984, he married Tationia “Shawnee” LaRue  Anderson.  She survives and resides in Punxsutawney.

Jack was a self-employed business owner in the natural gas drilling industry.  His business ventures spanned Friend Rotary Bit Service,  Friend Drilling, Friend Bit Incorporated, Shawnee Bit, and  JLF Bits, LLC. Outside of the drilling business he owned Friend’s Roller Rink in  Uniontown, PA  and he and his wife also owned and operated Shawnee’s Homestead Restaurant in Punxsutawney.

Jack loved his family, his friends and his dogs.  He loved woodworking and making things for others.  Jack loved hanging out with his son in-laws, his grandsons and his friends.  He enjoyed the outdoors, to include riding his buggy, snowmobiling at home and at his camp in West Virginia.  Spending time at the beach in Florida and boating on Cheat Lake in West Virginia were other favorite pastimes. He was an avid hunter who grew to love, respect, and take care of the woodland animals. 

He was a member of the VFW, Punxsutawney Loyal Order of Moose and the NRA.

In addition to his wife Shawnee, he is survived by five daughters, Tonya (Dan) Milton of Punxsutawney, Tennelle (Paul) Dienes of Rochester Mills, LeShawna (PJ) Greenawalt of Punxsutawney, LeTrisha (Chip) Herr of Lititz, PA, and Jackie Friend of Fairchance; ten grandchildren, Sierra (John) Milton-Yamber, Tristan Shumaker, Austin Milton, Tanner Goulish, Neve Coble, Bella Dienes, Kiah Greenawalt, Jesse Milton, Araya Herr and Nayeli Herr, and Mela Greenawalt; three great-grandchildren, Jackson Milton, Leo Yamber, and Indie Yamber. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Harold Anderson, Sr. of Punxsutawney.   

He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, John Friend and Orville Friend, his mother-in-law, Arlene Anderson. 

Funeral services are private and under the direction of Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimers and dementia or cancer research foundation of choice. 

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