Karlene M. (Espenshade) Friel, 79, of Shermans Dale passed away on June 25, 2026 at UPMC West Shore. Karlene was born April 26, 1947 in Mechanicsburg to Karl and Betty (Philips) Espenshade. She graduated from East Pennsboro High School in 1965.
She is survived by her husband, Joseph Friel, her children; Tracy Fickes, Larry (Theresa) Moyer, and Shawn Moyer; her brother Artie (Cindee) Espenshade, her stepson Ronald (Sherri) Friel, 8 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren, plus her cousins and many nieces and nephews.
Karlene or Short (as Joe affectionally called her) was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was honest, sincere, loving, caring and family oriented. Karlene was a cosmetologist for many, many years and when her health interfered with that, she became a manager for a beauty supply store.
Karlene loved all animals. German Shepherds and Border Collies were a big part of her life. She would spend hours sitting on her front porch watching the birds visit the bird feeders she set up for them. Karlene also loved to bowl. You could find her and Joe at ABC West in Mechanicsburg several days a week bowling leagues and making a bunch of new friends. Some of these friends even dragged her to other states for tournaments.
Karlene is preceded in death by her mother and father, her brother Scott Espenshade, her son Karl Moyer and her stepson Joey Friel.
A visitation will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026 from 10AM-11AM at the Sullivan Funeral Home 51 N. Enola Dr. Enola PA 17025.
Services will begin on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 11AM at the Sullivan Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to your local animal shelter.
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Friel family.
www.sullivanfuneralservices.com