Jerome Friend

Jerome P. “Jerry” Friend, age 67, of Erie died Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center following a lengthy illness.

Born in Erie on May 16, 1946 he was a son of the late Felix Friend and Margaret McGee Friend Krieger.

Jerry was a graduate of East High School, Class of 1965; he then went on to serve in the U.S. Navy. Jerry had a lifelong career in sales and was a newspaper carrier for the Erie Times News for over 12 years. He loved to make people laugh; he enjoyed fishing, baseball, dancing, music and collecting old records.

In addition to his parents Felix and Margaret and his stepfather Fred Krieger, Jerry was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Friend; a sister, Betsy Geary; and a brother-in-law, Jim Beerbower.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years Catherine A. Friend; his children, Jennifer Miller and her husband John, of Erie; Justin Friend, of Erie; Joel Friend and his wife Amber, of Jeannette, PA; Jody Williams and his wife Kari, of Goose Creek, SC.; his grandchildren, Maddy and Grace Miller, of Erie and Sydney Williams, of Goose Creek, SC and Noah John Friend, of Jeannette; his brothers, Paul Friend and his wife Annie and David Friend; and his sister, Peggy Beerbower. He is further survived his stepmother, Dorothy Friend; two step-sisters, Donna Mann and Mary Smith; all of Erie; and by many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial service will be held at New Beginnings Full Gospel Church 7195 West Ridge Road on Saturday, June 29th 11 a.m. with his brother the Reverend Paul H. Friend, Sr. officiating.

Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West Tenth Street, was in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Family in care of the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 602 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16502.