Ward L. Friends, 85, of Annville, Pennsylvania, died Friday, July 7, at the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, after a brief illness. Formerly of Millerton (Tioga County), PA, Ward is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dena (Seymour) Friends.
Ward was a veteran of the United States Army, having served his country during the Cold War. He was a tank driver with the 4th Armored Division stationed in Germany during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
He spent most of his working career in machine construction with Powers Manufacturing, Emhart, and Black and Decker, from where he retired.
Ward was a long-time member of the Millerton Wesleyan Church. He served as a trustee and enjoyed being a part of the men’s group. He also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Millerton Fire Department, rising to the rank of chief. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, NASCAR racing, and mowing his yard on his John Deere tractor.
Along with his wife, Dena, Ward is survived by three daughters, Loretta (James) Schwenk, of Annville, PA, Cindy (Charles) Kent, of Millerton, PA, and Annette (Kirby) Burrows, of Wendell, NC. He also leaves behind five granddaughters and one grandson, along with five great-grandsons. He was predeceased by a sixth great-grandson, Orlando Josiah Vargas. Ward is also survived by a brother, Duane, of Mechanicsburg, PA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 12 PM on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Millerton Wesleyan Church, Rte. 328, Millerton, Pennsylvania. Interment will be private at the family’s convenience.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks you to consider a donation in Ward’s memory to Millerton Wesleyan Church, 5174 Main St., Millerton, PA 16936.
