Rev. Clyde F. Friedman

Rev. Clyde Felix Friedman, age 101, of Deerfield, Illinois passed on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at Highland Park Hospital. He was born prematurely on January 9, 1923 in the farm house of his parents, William and Nora (Breitwieser) Friedman in Dubois, Indiana. He was the oldest of seven children. After graduating from Dubois High School in 1941, Clyde worked on the family farm as well as assembling furniture in Jasper, Indiana before he was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. He served for 3 years at bases in Rapid City, South Dakota; Mountain Home, Idaho; and Boise, Idaho. When World War II ended, Clyde attended Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1950. He then attended Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus, Ohio and graduated in 1954. His seminary internships were in Metamora, Ohio; Galveston, Texas; and at Peace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin where he met his future wife. During this time, Clyde enjoyed attending five International Luther League conventions and was proud to be a Bible Study leader at one. Clyde was ordained as a Lutheran pastor at his home church, St. Johns Lutheran Church at Crossroads in Dubois, Indiana 70 years ago. He married Janet J. Gruetzmacher, the love of his life, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on July 3, 1954. Clyde served at Lutheran parishes in Kingsway, Ohio; Montra, Ohio; Lima, Ohio; Angola, Indiana; Linton, Indiana; and Zion Lutheran in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he retired in 2004. Clyde and Janet were very involved in many church activities including Stephen Ministry, Bible Studies, and Food Pantry. In his 80s, Clyde made 3 trips to New Orleans and Mississippi to help with Hurricane Katrina clean up, including one with his son-in-law, Karl. Clyde also volunteered as a Oshkosh Police Chaplain and a docent at the EAA Museum. He enjoyed gardening, making greeting cards and daily Bible devotion booklets on his computer, and playing euchre and cribbage. He loved being with extended family and emailing family and friends. Clyde and Janet also made delicious apple pies. Clyde and Janet were blessed with one daughter, Julia. They were very devoted parents to her. They were thrilled to be grandparents and moved to Deerfield, Illinois in 2009 to be close to Julia's family. They enjoyed many activities and trips with Julia, husband Karl, and grandchildren Elaine and Jonathon. Many hands of euchre were played when they got together. They attended Zion Lutheran Church in Deerfield and volunteered there. They were thrilled to be a part of Jonathon and Ali's wedding in January, where they were recognized for being the couple married for the most years (69). Clyde greatly appreciated the help he received from daughter Julia and caregivers at home in his final years. When he was unable to attend church, Clyde continued his ministry by leading Sunday services and daily devotions with family and caregivers at home. He walked closely with the Lord to the end. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet; two sisters, Leah Ruth and Judith; and one brother, Harry. He is survived by his daughter, Julia (Karl) Arbaugh; grandchildren Elaine Arbaugh and Jonathon Arbaugh (Dr. Alexandra Sjaarda); two sisters, Claire Rohleder and Anna Dedrick; one brother, Leroy (Barbara) Friedman; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral services for Rev. Clyde Felix Friedman will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at St. Johns Luthern Church at the Crossroads in Dubois, with burial to follow in the St. Johns Cemetery. The American Legion Post #147 will conduct military graveside rites. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service time at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church at the Crossroads in Dubois, Indiana or Lutheran World Relief World Hunger.

Rev. Clyde F. Friedman

January 9, 1923 - August 13, 2024