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Note: Jesse Vern Friend goes by his middle name "Vern". He and Florence lived their lives on farms in Elk County, Kansas until he retired in 1976. They bought a property and moved into Howard, Kansas. He played the guitar, the Jews Harp and sang cowboy and county songs entertaining at functions in the community. In the late 1980's and early 1990's he and his sister, Della, who played the Harmonica and sang, provided entertainment at family reunions, nursing homes and senior centers. The Howard Courant, March 7, 1940 Paw Paw News: The Vern Friend family moved to the Ben Corbin place over by Antioch. They will be missed in the neighborhood. The Howard Courant-Citizen, Howard, Elk County, Kansas January 20, 1955 Vern Friend is a patient at the Eureka hospital. Hope he will be home soon. In May 1955 he had back surgery and also again in 1956. In the summer of 1994 he began to have TIA's. In May of 1996 he had Shingles. August 6, 2009 he fell in Alco store in Eureka which caused a dislocation of his right shoulder and a hair line crack of the bone. Vern's 95th Birthday (born July 9, 1912) was celebrated at the Poplar Pizza Restaurant in Howard, Kansas on Sunday, July 8, 2007. Those attending were: Melvin and Phyllis Friend and daughters, Linda and Christina; John and Louise Havens; Deanna Havens and grandson, Clinton Hall; Mary (Havens) Eastman and twin daughter's, Haley and Carley; Susan (Havens) Harris and husband, Bob and daughter, Keri. Vern Friend July 9, 1912 - March 15, 2014 Obituary for Vern Friend Jesse Vern Friend, known to all as “Vern”, age 101, of Howard, Kansas passed away Saturday, March 15, 2014 at his daughter’s home in Winfield, Kansas. He was born July 9, 1912 in rural Elk County, Kansas the son of Wiley Michael and Gertrude (Richardson) Friend. On August 4, 1932 Vern was united in marriage to Florence Louise Armstrong in Eureka, Kansas. Together they lived their lives farming in Elk County until retiring in 1976 when they bought property and moved to the city of Howard in 1977. Vern was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hitting some of the local water holes and watersheds in the area. In his 70’s he bought a 10 speed bicycle and rode it many times from Howard to Severy and Moline. Along with his sister Della they provided entertainment at family reunions, schools, nursing homes and senior centers. Vern is survived by two sons, Melvin Friend of Elk Falls, Kansas and Harold Friend of Winfield, Kansas; one daughter Louise Havens of Winfield, Kansas, 12 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Florence; daughter Phyllis Barber; son Arthur Friend; brother Forest Friend; three sisters, Ethel Criger; Violet Hebb and Della Cox. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2014 at Countryside Funeral Home with Pastor Robin Haines officiating. Burial following in Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to West Elk High School Music Department or Howard High School Alumni Association and may be left with the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home in Howard.
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