Obituary of Milford E. Friends

Woodhull, NY | Milford E. "Shorty" Friends, 92, of State Route 417, Woodhull, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015 at home surrounded by his loving family. Shorty was born in Jackson Summit, PA on Aug. 7, 1923, the son of Elon C. and Evalena Smith Friends. He graduated from Troupsburg Central School in 1942. Shortly after high school, Shorty entered the US Army, serving from 1943 to 1946 during World War II, with duty in both Europe and the Pacific. On April 12, 1946, Shorty married his life partner, the former Eleanor Drake in Elmira, NY. They had 69 years together in a wonderful, loving marriage. Shorty was a long time rural mail carrier, working from the Woodhull Post Office. He was recognized for one million miles of accident free employment with the postal service. In order for Shorty to take good care of his family, he also had second jobs most of the time that he delivered mail. He had driven truck for Keith Paddock and Son in Jasper and was operations manager of the Woodhull Municipal Gas Company. Upon retirement, he and Eleanor wintered in Zephyrhills, FL, returning north for the summer. While he was here in the summer, Shorty drove double decker tourist busses in Corning for several summers. Shorty was a member and former Deacon of the First Baptist Church of Woodhull. He was also a life member of the Woodhull Fire Department and the last surviving member of the 1947 reorganization of the department. He was a life member of American Legion Memorial Post in Woodhull and former member of the Woodhull Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed fishing and was a very avid bowler and softball player. Shorty and Eleanor had been active together in the Valley 49ers Square Dancing Club. Surviving Shorty is his wife, Eleanor Friends of Woodhull, his children, Vicki and Jim Schooley of the Villages, FL, Steve and Kathy Friends of Woodhull, Denny and Marlene Friends of Woodhull and Joni and Mark Payne of Woodhull, his grandchildren, Troy (Tammy) Terry, Tracy (Robert) Kirkpatrick, Scott (Ilham) Friends, Stacie (Bill) Zaidel, Brandon Friends, Brock (Lynna) Friends, Devan (Anthony) Sufra, Briannyn Payne, Brady Payne, Kimberly (Amanda) Schooley and Casey Schooley, many great grandchildren, his brother, Richard (Anita) Friends of Arkport and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Reva McMindes and Ruea Rude Allen and his brothers, Hugh Friends and Jay Friends. Friends may call on Wednesday, Dec. 30 from 1-3 and 6-8 PM at the H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church of Woodhull, W. Main St. Woodhull. Pastor Brian Diffenbacher will officiate. Burial will follow in Woodhull Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Woodhull Community Church. �� Service: Thursday, December 31, 2015 11:00 AM�� First Baptist Church of Woodhull West Main St. Woodhull, NY�� Visitation: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 1-3 and 6-8 PM�� H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY��