WILLIS J. FRISKNEY

Willis J. Friskney, age 86, of Albion, passed away at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, August 1, 2010 at North Ridge Village Nursing & Rehabilitation Center,Albion.Born on June 22, 1924 in Noble County, he was the son of Samuel Archie and Clara Leona (Ott) Friskney.

He was a Green Township, Noble County resident his entire lifetime except from 1949-1956 when he lived in Whitley County.He attended Green School and graduated from Albion High School with the Class 1942. He served in the United States Army as Tech 5th Grade, 71st Signal Service Battalion from 1945-1946. On September 14, 1947, he married Margery L. Eubank at Sherman Street Church of God, Fort Wayne.He worked at Columbia Products, Dana Weatherhead as a tool and die maker where he retired in 1986. He also was a general farmer. He was a member of Big Lake Church of God, where he was a faithful usher, greeter and volunteered at the church for many years. In the past, he enjoyed golf with a group in Goblesville from Dana Weatherhead and he also was an avid gardener and loved to do woodworking.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years,Margery L. Friskney of Albion; 5 children, Sherrill (James) Zumbrun of Albion, Ron Friskney of Tecumseh, MI, Vicki (Rick) Waterson of Albion, Mark (A.J. Calkins) Friskney, Fort Wayne and Marna (Bob) Amber of Churubusco; 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, brother, Merle W. "Bud" Friskney of Arvada, CO; sister, Martha Jane Johnson of Churubusco, 2 sisters-in-law, Joylene Friskney of St. Paul, MN and Jean Alexander, Carmel, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, John, James, Boyd Friskney andbrother-in-law, Rod Johnson and 3 sisters-in-law, Fay, Esther and Iva Friskney.

Visitation is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.Funeral service will be at the funeral home on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor J. Phillip Blake former pastor of Big Lake Church of God and Pastor Tim Grable of Sugar Grove Church of God, Churubusco officiating. Burial will follow at Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam, with graveside military rites conducted by the Whitley County Korean War Veteran's Honor Guard.Memorials may be given in memory of Mr. Friskney to Big Lake Church of God, with envelopes available through the funeral home.