James Leroy Friesner, Sr.

A funeral service celebrating the life of James Leroy Friesner, Sr., age 89, of Newark, will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 15, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home with Rev. William J. Rauch officiating. Burial will take place in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Friends may call from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home, 179 Granville Street in Newark.

Mr. Friesner passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at the Selma Markowitz Care Center (operated by Hospice of Central Ohio). He was born February 16, 1932 in Thurston, Ohio to the late Andrew Jackson and Pearl Margaret (Wright) Friesner. He was baptized on April 15, 1956 at Mills Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church in Lancaster. On January 22, 1955 he married Bernadine M. Perez in Columbus, Ohio, at the home of his uncle, the Rev. William Peter (Ester neé Wright) Vickroy, who officiated the wedding. Mr. Friesner spent his life in the automotive repair industry in the Lancaster and Newark areas and founded, with his wife, Friesner Automotive Service, Inc. of Newark.

He is survived by his son, Timothy A. (Karen S. neé Van Gundy) Friesner of Newark; six grandchildren, Tracy Lynn (Paul) Bailey, Jeremiah Andrew (Katie) Friesner, Gary Lee (Renee) Friesner, all of Newark; Emily Bernadine (Joshua) Wellman of Jenison, Michigan, Carl James (Danielle) of Lutsen, Minnesota, and Steven M. Friesner, Jr. of Van Atta; great-grandchildren, Paige and Lucas Bailey, Taylor, Austin, Carter and Elliana Friesner, Hanna, Jarod and Nora Wellman; and Megan, Lane and Hailey Friesner; daughters-in-law, Norma J. Friesner of Ludington, Michigan and Kitty M. Friesner of Vanatta;  niece, Brenda (Dickinson) Hart, and grand-nephews, Roy and Justin Hart, all of Lancaster; several cousins and additional nieces and nephews; and special friend, Jim Farmer.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Bernadine; sons, Steven M. Friesner  in 2008 and Rev. Dr. James L. Friesner, Jr. in 2020; an infant brother, Frederick Ross Friesner; and sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn J. and Roy Dickinson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation for Hospice of Central Ohio, P.O. Box 430, Newark, OH 43058.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral & Cremation Service is honored to care for James and his family.