FRIEND, Arthur Dean - b. January 1, 1941 - d. March 3, 2011

[patyrn]

Arthur Dean Friend, age 70, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Winfield Rest Haven in Winfield, Kansas  He was born on New Year's Day, January 1 1941 to Vern and Florence (Armstrong) Friend in the Basham Hospital in Eureka, Kansas where his mother had been operated on for appendicitis the day before his birth.  He was born 3 weeks premature.

His elementary education was received at a country school called Rule Vale in Fiat, Elk County, Kansas.  He belonged to the Antioch Rustlers 4-H Club.  He graduated in 1959 from Howard High School in Howard, Kansas.  He played the end position on the high school football team.  During high school, he served as secretary, vice-president, and president of the local FFA Chapter.  After graduation, he worked for Sheel's Grain Elevator and Feed Store in Moline, Kansas. 

On December 5, 1961, Arthur joined the Air Force and received his first five weeks of basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.  He was then transferred to Chanute Air Force Base at Rantoul, Illinois to finish basic training and attended aircraft instrument schooling.  Upon completion of this schooling, he was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and later transferred to Norton Air Force Base in California where he remained until his discharge in 1965 with the rank of Sergeant.

After his discharge, he returned to Elk County, Kansas to help with the farming as his father had back surgery that year and was unable to work.  In 1966, h worked a short time as an aircraft instrument mechanic at Lear Jet in Wichita, Kansas.  On October 4, 1966, he became employed at TWA in Kansas City, Missouri as an aircraft instrument mechanic.  In 2001, he was diagnosed with COPD and short-term memory loss which caused his retirement on October 1, 2001 after working 35 years for TWA.  After his retirement, he came to Winfield, Kansas and lived with his sister, Louise Havens and her husband, John, for 5 years.  In May 2006, he became a resident of Winfield Rest Haven.

Arthur is survived by his father, Vern Friend of Howard, Kansas; two brothers, Melvin Friend and wife, Phyllis of Elk Falls, Kansas and Harold Friend of Winfield, Kansas; one sister, Louise Havens and husband, John of Winfield, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Florence in 1979 and his sister, Phyllis (Friend) Barber in 1994. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, March 7, 2011 at Countryside-Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Visitation will be held Sunday, March 6, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Private interment will be at Grace Lawn Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, family requests contributions be made to Grace Lawn Cemetery and may be left with the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside-Zimmerman Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

[frawin]

I stopped and visited with Arthur, sometime ago, he isn't suffering now. Arthur always had a smile in school. We will keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.
Frank and Myrna