John Hawley “Jake” Friedersdorf, 79, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 12:45 pm, Friday, August 5, 2022, at his home. He was born on February 9, 1943, in Wabash, to John Edgar Friedersdorf and Kathryn Bessie Mae (Hawley) Friedersdorf Scheibel.
Jake attended Wabash High School. He married Donna Airgood in Wabash on November 12, 1966. He worked as a mechanic at Jack Cross Ford and Maggart Pontiac/Cadillac several years, retiring in 2005. He was a member of Wabash First United Methodist Church. Jake was an avid Purdue Basketball fan, and enjoyed fishing, lake vacations, drag racing in his early days, and always taking care of his family, friends, and especially his girls. He was a jack of all trades and loved working on the family home, cars, and helping others. Anyone who knew Jake speaks of his kindness, generosity, orneriness, mentoring, and problem solving. Thanks Dad/Pa, we’ll take it from here.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Friedersdorf of Wabash; two daughters, Kelly Thompson of Wabash, and Kimberly (Fred) Parrett of Warsaw, Indiana; four grandchildren, Erica (Andy) Tyson and Kayla Bitzel, both of Wabash, Victoria Parrett and Nikole Parrett, both of Warsaw; four great-grandchildren, Nika Tyson, Elin Tyson, Kaystin Bitzel, and Rosie Bitzel, all of Wabash; brother, Doug (Mona) Friedersdorf of Wabash; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Kathy Koon.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Rev. Nathan Whybrew officiating. Friends may call 9:30-11:00 am Tuesday, at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash at a later date.
Preferred memorials are Wabash First United Methodist Church, the charity of the Donor’s Choice, or to help someone in need.
The memorial guest book for Jake may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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