Friend

Raymond Lee Friend, 75, of Chicora, went to be with the Lord Tuesday afternoon, April 29, 2025, at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Raymond was born in Clairton, Allegheny County, on June 6, 1949. He was the son of the late Clyde R. and Myrtle Keener Friend.

He was a 1967 graduate of Butler High School. Raymond was a proud U.S. Army veteran stationed at Fort Monroe, Va. He worked at Langley Air Force Base, where he repaired the electrical systems of airplanes and helicopters. In 1970, he was deployed to Da Nang Bay in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1971.

Following his military service, he worked for Traco Windows for many years and retired in 2015. Raymond looked forward to the annual family trip to Cook Forest. He enjoyed roller skating, hiking, crossword puzzles, playing cards, the company of his cats and, most especially, the company of his family.

He was a longtime active member of North Butler Presbyterian Church in Chicora.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Peggy Cumberland Friend, whom he married Nov. 18, 1987, at North Butler Presbyterian Church. Also surviving are a son, Francis Friend and his wife, Glynnis, of Verona, Wis.; a daughter, Katherine Hazlett of Virginia Beach, Va.; his stepdaughters, Paula Menteer and her husband, Casey, of Kane, and Stephanie Neely of Butler; and his grandchildren, Ruth and Grace Friend, and Sydney and Emma Hazlett. He was affectionately “Grandpa Ray” to his stepgrandchildren, Shaine Miller, Jonathan Koebler and Kenny Clark.

Also surviving are his brothers, Ronald Friend and his wife, Michelle, of Winter Springs, Fla., and Rod Friend and his wife, Philippa, of Sarver; his sisters, Saundra Isovitch and her husband, Bob, of Butler and Cynthia Crytzer (Stan Spence) of Mercer; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Roger Friend; and a stepdaughter, Lucretia Miller Angert.

FRIEND — Friends of Raymond Lee Friend, who died Tuesday, April 29, 2025, will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at HILE FUNERAL HOME OF CHICORA, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at North Butler Presbyterian Church, 137 N. Butler Church Road, Chicora, with the Rev. Mary Kitchen officiating.

Interment will be in North Butler Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Friend’s name may be made to the North Butler Presbyterian Church or to cancer research.

To send a condolence, visit www.hilefh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.