Jonathan “John” Ray Friesen, 21, died on Saturday, April 2, 2011, due to a tragic car accident.  He was born on January 30, 1990, in Shattuck, Oklahoma, to Gordon Friesen and Cherish Mahaffey.  He grew up in Balko, Edmond, and Yukon, Oklahoma, and graduated from Yukon High School in 2009.  He was employed at Buy For Less in Yukon for three years.  He also worked at the Blue Beacon Truck Wash at Oklahoma City West for two years.  He moved to Russell, Kansas, in April 2010 and worked at White Energy until his death.

He loved fishing, hunting, drawing, and spending time with family and friends. 

Survivors include parents Cherish (Ray) of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Gordon (Tricia) of Salina, Kansas; girlfriend Stacy Coleman of Russell, Kansas; maternal grandparents Bob Mahaffey of Beaver, Oklahoma, and Stephanie Mahaffey of Yukon, Oklahoma, and paternal grandmother Ollie Friesen of Russell, Kansas; brothers Andrew (Alexis), Danny McIntosh (Elizabeth), and Scott Stiffler; nephews Whyatte and Trishan, and nieces Destiny and Katlynn, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his grandpa Hank Friesen and Great Grandpa Nyle Mahaffey.

Jonathan’s bright smile and sense of humor will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service to celebrate Jonathan’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M.  on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas.  Family will be present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. on Wednesday evening, April 6, 2011 at the mortuary.  There will be no viewing since the family has chosen cremation.  Memorials may be given to the Jonathan Friesen Memorial Fund and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.