Herbert Friend, Jr

Hastings resident, Herbert Leo "Rocky" Friend, Jr., 88, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Perkins Pavilion Good Samaritan Society-Hastings Village, Hastings, Nebraska.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be Thursday, July 20, 2017; 10:30 A.M. at Evangelical Free Church, Hastings with Pastor Matt Sass officiating. Private family burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Evangelical Free Church or Hastings YMCA.

Rocky was born July 22, 1928, in Wapello County, Iowa, to H. L. "Leo" Friend, Sr. and Lucille (Clouse) Friend. He was raised by Leo Sr. and his second wife, Susan (Fulcher) Friend. He graduated from high school in Ottumwa, Iowa, High School in 1946. He served four years in the military, initially in the U.S. Army, then the U.S. Air Force when it was spun off the Army.

In 1948, he married Florence Enlow in Bloomfield, Iowa. Six children were born to this union; Nancy, Ronnie, Phyllis, Debbie, Gary, and Randy. Rocky and Florence were later divorced.

In 1958, he married Eunice Schroeder in Dodge City, Kansas. She died in 1975. Rocky drove over the road truck for several years, then learned locksmithing. He and Eunice moved to Hastings in 1974, where he was a locksmith with Grace's Bike & Key Shop.

In 1975, he married Dorothy Grace Aspen in Hastings, Nebraska. After their marriage, Rocky and Dorothy operated the business, which became Grace's Locksmith Service in 1979. Rocky retired in 1990, and he and Dorothy moved to Salem, Virginia. In Salem, Rocky occupied his time with various volunteer activities, mainly for West Salem Baptist Church. They moved back to Hastings in 1994.

Rocky was a member of Hastings Evangelical Free Church and Nebraska Locksmiths Association; former member of West Salem Baptist Church, Keystone Baptist Church, Hastings Noon Sertoma, Hastings YMCA, Associated Locksmiths of America, Great Plains Locksmiths Association, Iowa Locksmiths Association, National Campers and Hikers Association, and Compusers. Rocky enjoyed playing cards, camping, and electronics.

Rocky was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ronald Friend; step-son, Alan Schroeder; brothers, Raymond (Erma) Friend and Ronnie Bullis; and great grandchildren, Larry Masopust and Vanessa Smith.

SURVIVORS:
Wife:
Dorothy Friend - Hastings, NE
Children & Spouses:
Nancy & Rusty Goin - Pryor, OK
Phyllis Friend - Noble, OK
Debrah & Junior Schultz - Fairmont, MN
Gary & Pam Friend - Hopkins, MN
Randy & Marion Friend - Woodbury, MN
Step-Sons:
Roger & Judy Aspen - Hastings, NE
Charles Aspen - Hastings, NE
Brother & Spouse:
Richard & Ione Friend - Bloomfield, IA
Sister:
Mary Ann Bilyeu - Ozark, MO
Many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, & nephews