James Patrick Friel

James Patrick Friel, aged 80 of New Straitsville, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at The Laurels of Athens in Athens, Ohio surrounded by his loving family.

Born March 16, 1944 in Lancaster, Ohio, he was the son of the late Edward Francis and Florence Bella (Hammer) Friel.

During life, James worked in maintenance for Logan Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company before retiring. He was a veteran of the United States Army. An avid outdoorsman, James enjoyed walks in nature as well as cutting trees and woodworking.

James is survived by his daughters, Barbara (Russell) Spence, Melissa (Vonda Kingery) Strawn, Sharon (Lee) Halley, Karen (Jim Spaulding) Drake, and Theresa (John) Rooker; son, Jonathon (Tina) Friel; twenty-five grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister, Rose Ann Lee; sister-in-law, Nancy Neal; and brother-in-law, Bruce (Lisa) Keeney.

Besides his parents, James was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Agnes (Keeney) Friel; sisters, Mary Tipple, Nancy Danielson, Rita Kokensparger, and Carolyn Stoffel; brothers, Robert Friel and Joseph Friel; son-in-law, Kyle Strawn; infant son, Gary Knight Friel; granddaughters, Brittany Schrader and Kimber Lee Yates; grandsons, Caleb Friel and Russell Spence Jr.; brothers-in-law, William Keeney, David Neal, Lawrence Danielson, and Bill Lee; sisters-in-law, Sissy Keeney and Betty Keeney; and father and mother-in-law, Theodore and Ida Keeney.

A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Father Jean Luc Zadroga will be held at St. John Catholic Church in Logan, Ohio at 10 AM on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Logan, Ohio where a military service from the Hocking County Honor Guard will be conducted.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at the Roberts Funeral Home in Logan, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, James’ family suggests donations may be made to St. John Catholic Church, 351 N Market St., Logan, OH 43138.

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