John E. Friend, 89, of Munster, IN passed away on Friday, June 7th, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Betty Lou Friend; parents, Everett & Virginia (Parker) Friend; brother, Mike Friend, and sister, Sue Conley. He is survived by his daughters, Tracy and Jerri Friend and his son, DougContinue Reading
John E. Friend, 89, of Munster, IN passed away on Friday, June 7th, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Betty Lou Friend; parents, Everett & Virginia (Parker) Friend; brother, Mike Friend, and sister, Sue Conley. He is survived by his daughters, Tracy and Jerri Friend and his son, Doug (Sashi) Friend.
Visitation will be at Kish Funeral Home, 1000 Calumet Ave., Munster, IN, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, from 3:00-8:00 PM and on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 10:00-12:00 PM. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM. Interment will be private.
John graduated from Crown Point High School in 1953, attended David Lipscomb College on a full scholarship, and received his master’s degree from Southern Illinois University. He taught at Merrillville High School for one year before moving to Los Angeles to coach basketball at Pepperdine University. He moved back to Indiana, coached basketball at Hammond High School, and then secured a position at Munster High School as basketball coach, football coach, and athletic director. In 1980 he became athletic director at Purdue University, Calumet Campus. He retired from Purdue but continued to fundraise for the university three days a week. John loved the town of Munster, and he was devoted to Purdue University Northwest. He was an ardent traveler and avid dog lover. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) or the John & Betty Friend Scholarship Fund at Purdue University Northwest.
Beth Meadows Dahlke
left a message on August 29, 2024:
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. You Dad graduated with my parents from high school. (Bob Meadows and Georganne See). They were friends and continued that friendship for many years. I remember meeting both your parents when I was little, but had not seen them since middle school. I now call on PNW as one of my accounts, and I was going to try to connect with your Dad. I am so sorry that I missed that opportunity. He left a great legacy. You have so much to be proud of. My condolences and prayers for comfort.
Ron Tomczak
left a message on July 16, 2024:
My condolences to the family. Coach friend was not only a coach but a role model to all who encountered him. I can remember attending the Munster HS QB & Receiver school each summer throughout grade school & HS. He as well as my father and numerous other excellent coaches taught us the tools of the trade. It was an honor to have considered him a friend. May he RIP.
Douglas Friend
left a message on June 18, 2024:
Love You Dad!
Doug
Jo Ann Tomczak
left a message on June 17, 2024:
So happy to have been privileged to call John a friend to Ron and I both. A better man never lived. He was such a positive influence on everyone who knew him. A life well-lived, he will be remembered forever. Rest in peace, John!
Glenn Scolnik
left a message on June 16, 2024:
John Friend was a great man and leader--a shining example of what integrity and honesty looks like in real life. He was a fantastic mentor to me and hundreds of others. I am blessed to have crossed paths with him and to have received so many "suggestions" on how to be a better person. May he rest in peace.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Ben Simmons
left a message on June 14, 2024:
My Condolence, Coach recruited me to play at Purdue Cal, I instantly learned to respect him and Love him, he was Such a man of integrity and fairness. He Had the perfect name FRIEND, and that he was.
He is truly missed and I am very glad that I took time to go visit him a few weeks before he passed. I will cherish our time forever.
RIP - Coach, well deserved.
John Barrow
left a message on June 12, 2024:
In memory of John E. Friend, John Barrow lit a candle
highland animal hospital
left a message on June 12, 2024:
We are very sorry for your loss. Such a great man and lover of animals. He will be missed.
Debbi
left a message on June 12, 2024:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/X1DdKAgBgjUr5zQ8/?mibextid=Nif5oz early memories of John
Juan Flores
left a message on June 12, 2024:
A true gentleman and gifted friend. He helped me with my early career at Purdue and I always appreciated his advice and support. He will be missed by the community.
God Bless you, John
Billy Knight
left a message on June 12, 2024:
A better man there never was. God bless you and your family Coach Friend. Save me a seat at mid-court in Heaven. I look forward to seeing you there...rest in Heavenly peace sir.
Neil Nemeth
left a message on June 10, 2024:
I enjoyed the many conversations about athletics and life that I had with John at Purdue Northwest's Fitness Center. John always had time for a chat and to share his insights from many years of experience. He cared deeply about PNW and its athletic program. His was a life well-lived, and I express my sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Neil Nemeth
Associate Professor Emeritus
Department of Communication and Creative Arts
College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
Purdue University Northwest
Robert
left a message on June 10, 2024:
John was a wonderful and special human being who was a friend to all. I worked with John while I was at the school, and he was so passionate about, and proud of the students at Purdue Calumet/PNW and the community, it was infectious. RIP John, we love you and miss you, and thank you for all you've done for the community.
Yaya (Madrigal) Torres
left a message on June 10, 2024:
Dear Ms. Friend,
I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your father. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.
I remember you fondly from EC Central High School and always appreciated your patience and guidance. Your dedication to your students and passion for teaching made a lasting impact on me.
I can only imagine how much your father meant to you. Losing a parent is never easy, and I hope you find comfort in the memories you shared and the love of your family and friends.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of grief.
With deepest sympathy,
Yaya
Bob Komara
left a message on June 10, 2024:
Did my student teaching under John, then later coached against him when I was coaching football at Lake Central. Always a class act and a good person. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Friend family.
Daniel T Stevenson
left a message on June 9, 2024:
For decades, John Friend was the spirit of Munster High School sports. The coach, a friend to many, garnered immense respect from the entire Munster community. While I never had the privilege of being coached by him personally, the affirmations and idioms he adorned the football locker room walls with are etched in my memory. His influence spans generations; the wisdom he imparted has been passed down to the numerous young men and women he mentored
Carol Moore Cambre
left a message on June 9, 2024:
In memory of John E. Friend, Carol Moore Cambre lit a candle
Ivan zimmer
left a message on June 9, 2024:
May God Bless y’all during these trying times.
Coach (John Friend) was a special human being,
I greatly appreciated his friendship over the years.
Jim Carlson
left a message on June 9, 2024:
There’s countless stories about Coach Friend I’ll share one of mine…1999 R
Daniel Sytsma
left a message on June 9, 2024:
Great man. Did alot for athletics around the region. Helped many young men and women.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
David Such
left a message on June 9, 2024:
Sad to hear of the passing of “Coach”. He was a mentor to many of us as well as a person who was so well thought of. My condolences to Terri, Jerry and Doug. My last visit was 2 years ago when he attended my induction into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. Everyone was so happy to see him at that event. Will always remember his 100th victory celebration as we presented him with a trophy to recognize his accomplishments. Screaming in heaven run north and south. God rest ya Coach.
Larry Getts
left a message on June 9, 2024:
RIP John.....you were a mentor to me, an advisor and a friend.......back in 1984 on a chance meeting, it was a contact he made, a coach he knew and a letter of recommendation he wrote, that kick started my teaching and coaching career......will be forever grateful.......
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Beth Meadows Dahlke
left a message on August 29, 2024:
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. You Dad graduated with my parents from high school. (Bob Meadows and Georganne See). They were friends and continued that friendship for many years. I remember meeting both your parents when I was little, but had not seen them since middle school. I now call on PNW as one of my accounts, and I was going to try to connect with your Dad. I am so sorry that I missed that opportunity. He left a great legacy. You have so much to be proud of. My condolences and prayers for comfort.
Ron Tomczak
left a message on July 16, 2024:
My condolences to the family. Coach friend was not only a coach but a role model to all who encountered him. I can remember attending the Munster HS QB & Receiver school each summer throughout grade school & HS. He as well as my father and numerous other excellent coaches taught us the tools of the trade. It was an honor to have considered him a friend. May he RIP.
Douglas Friend
left a message on June 18, 2024:
Love You Dad!
Doug
Jo Ann Tomczak
left a message on June 17, 2024:
So happy to have been privileged to call John a friend to Ron and I both. A better man never lived. He was such a positive influence on everyone who knew him. A life well-lived, he will be remembered forever. Rest in peace, John!
Glenn Scolnik
left a message on June 16, 2024:
John Friend was a great man and leader--a shining example of what integrity and honesty looks like in real life. He was a fantastic mentor to me and hundreds of others. I am blessed to have crossed paths with him and to have received so many "suggestions" on how to be a better person. May he rest in peace.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Ben Simmons
left a message on June 14, 2024:
My Condolence, Coach recruited me to play at Purdue Cal, I instantly learned to respect him and Love him, he was Such a man of integrity and fairness. He Had the perfect name FRIEND, and that he was.
He is truly missed and I am very glad that I took time to go visit him a few weeks before he passed. I will cherish our time forever.
RIP - Coach, well deserved.
John Barrow
left a message on June 12, 2024:
In memory of John E. Friend, John Barrow lit a candle
highland animal hospital
left a message on June 12, 2024:
We are very sorry for your loss. Such a great man and lover of animals. He will be missed.
Debbi
left a message on June 12, 2024:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/X1DdKAgBgjUr5zQ8/?mibextid=Nif5oz early memories of John
Juan Flores
left a message on June 12, 2024:
A true gentleman and gifted friend. He helped me with my early career at Purdue and I always appreciated his advice and support. He will be missed by the community.
God Bless you, John
Billy Knight
left a message on June 12, 2024:
A better man there never was. God bless you and your family Coach Friend. Save me a seat at mid-court in Heaven. I look forward to seeing you there...rest in Heavenly peace sir.
Neil Nemeth
left a message on June 10, 2024:
I enjoyed the many conversations about athletics and life that I had with John at Purdue Northwest's Fitness Center. John always had time for a chat and to share his insights from many years of experience. He cared deeply about PNW and its athletic program. His was a life well-lived, and I express my sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Neil Nemeth
Associate Professor Emeritus
Department of Communication and Creative Arts
College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
Purdue University Northwest
Robert
left a message on June 10, 2024:
John was a wonderful and special human being who was a friend to all. I worked with John while I was at the school, and he was so passionate about, and proud of the students at Purdue Calumet/PNW and the community, it was infectious. RIP John, we love you and miss you, and thank you for all you've done for the community.
Yaya (Madrigal) Torres
left a message on June 10, 2024:
Dear Ms. Friend,
I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your father. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.
I remember you fondly from EC Central High School and always appreciated your patience and guidance. Your dedication to your students and passion for teaching made a lasting impact on me.
I can only imagine how much your father meant to you. Losing a parent is never easy, and I hope you find comfort in the memories you shared and the love of your family and friends.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of grief.
With deepest sympathy,
Yaya
Bob Komara
left a message on June 10, 2024:
Did my student teaching under John, then later coached against him when I was coaching football at Lake Central. Always a class act and a good person. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Friend family.
Daniel T Stevenson
left a message on June 9, 2024:
For decades, John Friend was the spirit of Munster High School sports. The coach, a friend to many, garnered immense respect from the entire Munster community. While I never had the privilege of being coached by him personally, the affirmations and idioms he adorned the football locker room walls with are etched in my memory. His influence spans generations; the wisdom he imparted has been passed down to the numerous young men and women he mentored
Carol Moore Cambre
left a message on June 9, 2024:
In memory of John E. Friend, Carol Moore Cambre lit a candle
Ivan zimmer
left a message on June 9, 2024:
May God Bless y’all during these trying times.
Coach (John Friend) was a special human being,
I greatly appreciated his friendship over the years.
Jim Carlson
left a message on June 9, 2024:
There’s countless stories about Coach Friend I’ll share one of mine…1999 R
Daniel Sytsma
left a message on June 9, 2024:
Great man. Did alot for athletics around the region. Helped many young men and women.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
David Such
left a message on June 9, 2024:
Sad to hear of the passing of “Coach”. He was a mentor to many of us as well as a person who was so well thought of. My condolences to Terri, Jerry and Doug. My last visit was 2 years ago when he attended my induction into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. Everyone was so happy to see him at that event. Will always remember his 100th victory celebration as we presented him with a trophy to recognize his accomplishments. Screaming in heaven run north and south. God rest ya Coach.
Larry Getts
left a message on June 9, 2024:
RIP John.....you were a mentor to me, an advisor and a friend.......back in 1984 on a chance meeting, it was a contact he made, a coach he knew and a letter of recommendation he wrote, that kick started my teaching and coaching career......will be forever grateful.......
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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