Maurice E. “Preach” Friedlund, 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, August 16, 2013.
Preach and his wife were currently residing at Golden Living Center in Shippenville. Born August 19, 1928, in Chicago Illinois he was the son of the late Arvid and Alice Friedlund. Preach received his education from Highland Park High School in Highland Illinois. He later attended Moody Bible Institute and Graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Preach married the former Ruth J. Johnson on June 16, 1950, and celebrated 63 years of marriage. Rev. Friedlund was a retired pastor of the Evangelical Congregational Church, having served in nine congregations in three different states–Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania. He founded the Clarion E. C. Church in 1990, a long-time dream of reaching out to people in Clarion County. He loved visiting people and enjoyed playing his trumpet in worship services. He firmly believed that music was a gift from GOD that touched people’s hearts. One of Preach’s great joys in ministry was Vacation Bible School. He was known far and wide for his annual VBS Kickoff Parade with all the children dressed up and their bikes or wagons decorated. Preach encouraged hunters in the Knox area to embrace their faith in Jesus Christ. For many years he spoke at the annual dinner of the Double H Rifle and Pistol Club, of which he was a long time member. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and the beautiful western Pennsylvania country side. He loved gardening and giving neighbors and friends the abundance of his produce.
Surviving in addition to his wife are his 4 children, Susan Dolciatto and her husband Tony of Ohio, Jim Freidlund and his wife Gwen of MN, Bob Friedlund and his wife Darla of Knox and John Friedlund and his wife Kathy of Boyertown. 11 grandchildren Robert Dolciatto and his wife Bice of OH, Matt Friedlund of Boyertown, Kayla Friedlund of MN, Andy Friedlund of Boyertown, Karen Friedlund of Boyertown, Gabrielle Friedlund of Knox, Michael “Bubba” Friedlund of MN, Natalie Friedlund of Knox, Molly Friedlund of MN, Amy Friedlund of Boyertown, Alec Friedlund of Knox. Also surviving are 3 great grandchildren Adriana, Marissa and Michael Dolciatto of OH.
Proceeded in death in addition to his parents are two children, his daughter Karen Friedlund who passed away in 1971 and his son David Friedlund in 1991. A brother Raymond Friedlund, two sisters Dorothy Nelson and Joanie Bowman.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM Tuesday August 20 at McEntire-Weaver Funeral Home, 504 East Penn Ave, Knox, PA, and from noon to 1 pm Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, 2561 Grace Church Road, Knox. Funeral services will be held at 1 PM in the church with Rev. Rick Osberg officiating. Interment will follow at Starr Cemetery To view and share photos or leave an online condolence please visit our web site at www.mcentire-weaverfuneralhome.com