For My Mother-in-Law, Mary Louise Freeman.

 It's been a very sad year.  Today, December 7th, would have been both my Mother and Father-in-law's birthday.  I'm sorry to say that my Mother-in-law,  Mary Louise Freeman passed away on October 15, 2017.   I was still grieving for my Father who had passed away only four months before on June 19th.  I have not posted about Mary Louise's passing until now I think, because I am still grieving for both of them.  We were in Florida with my Mom, helping take care of things and having Daddy's memorial.  After we left Florida in July, we flew to Indiana to visit with Mary Louise.  She was always happy to see you even if she didn't always remember who you were.  We spent as much time with her as we could.  I knew in the back of my mind that this could be the last time we would see her.  At 97, that's always a chance.  She had become very frail.  As always, she looked really nice with her big smile.  She always talked about how she and Herb were so happy together and how happy she was that Wayne and I had found each other.  She told us that Herb visited her often!  (Herb passed away in September 2012.)

 Mary Louise and son Wayne (Tony) Freeman, November 2014

 Mary Louise was so kind to me and always asked after my family.  One of her biggest joys was seeing Wayne and I happy together,  just like she and Herb were.  She was a people person and always wanted to led a hand at helping you do anything.  She loved to talk to people and was quite the social butterfly.  She was a very good cook and made the best muffins among other things!  She taught her son well and made sure he gave women the respect they deserved.  She and Herb were still so much in love and were such a role model for a great relationship and marriage that I often told her what a good job she did in making her son the man he became.

I'm sending my love to you, Mary Louise, on your next journey.  Happy Birthday to both of you, I hope you both are having the best celebration today, together at last!   You will be missed!

Mary Louise and Herbert E. Freeman.  Mary Louise would have been 98, and Herb would have been 99 on December 7th 2017.

Mary Louise and Herb Freeman
 70th Wedding Anniversary Party, 

North Judson, IN - September 2010

The following is the obituary written by my husband, Wayne Freeman for his Mother, Mary Louise Freeman.   Obituary Link

Mary Louise Freeman, Age 97, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac, Indiana.
Mary Louise was born on December 7, 1919 in Knox, Indiana to Chester and Ermal Pettis.
Mary Louise graduated from Knox High School, Class of 1937. Following graduation, she worked as a secretary at Taitel's Garment Factory in Knox for several years. She married Herbert E. Freeman of Winamac on September 13, 1940. When Herb enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943, Mary Louise followed him to Phoenix, Arizona where he was undergoing his advanced training at Luke Field, and got a job as a secretary on base. At the end of the war, she returned home to Knox and awaited Herb's discharge.
Several years later, Mary Louise and Herb moved to North Judson and bought Modern Chevrolet from Roy Eichstadt and together they ran that business until their retirement in 1984. In particular, she was the unofficial "social coordinator" during each and every new car model show for their entire career.
Mary Louise was active in the community, had many friends and was a member of Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved being with friends and family, entertaining, rooting for NJSPHS basketball, playing cribbage and traveling.
Mary Louise will be remembered by those who knew her for her graciousness, kindness and warm heart. She is survived by her son Anthony Freeman of Everett, Washington. She was preceded in death by her sister Eileen, her parents and her husband of very nearly 72 years, Herb.
Per Mary Louise's and Herb's wishes, an American Legion graveside service will be held at Highland Cemetery in North Judson on November 4, 2017 at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, friends may express condolences via memorial contributions to the North Judson San Pierre High School Athletic Department or the Starke County Historical Society.

Link: Blog for Herbert E. Freeman

For My Father-in-Law, Herbert E. Freeman.

A sad note to say my Father-in-law, Herb Freeman passed away last Thursday evening. He will be missed. A big man with a big voice and a big heart, he treated me well and called me his daughter.  I'm sending my love to you on your next journey.

It's so hard to lose a parent, yet something we all have to go through.  However, it is gratifying when the folks who hear of his passing, call or drop by and tell us some touching story of how they remember him. He touched a lot of peoples lives.   

Herb and son Wayne (Tony) Freeman, October 2011

The following is the obituary written by my husband, Wayne Freeman.

Herbert Ernest Freeman, 93, residing in North Judson, Indiana, passed away at 9:05 PM Thursday, Septermber 6, at IU Health LaPorte Hospital in LaPorte Indiana after a brief illness.

He was born December 7, 1918 in Winamac, Indiana to Edward and Rosella Freeman.

Herb proudly and honorably served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and owned and operated Modern Chevrolet in North Judson, Indiana for over 30 years. He was a 33^rd degree Mason, a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for over 50 years, a long-time member of the Masonic Lodge of North Judson, Indiana, having held every office in the lodge several times. He was also a member of the American Legion for over 60 years. Herb also served as president of the North Judson Town Board during the construction of the water tower, which is still in operation today.

Herb was an avid golfer and a member of the Spalding/Golf Digest Hole-in-One Club, having scored his 210-yard hole-in-one on the 15^th hole at the Tippecanoe Country Club on May 9, 1968.

He married the former Mary Louise Pettis on September 13, 1940, who survives him. He is also survived by his son, Anthony Wayne Freeman, his daughter-in-law, Barbara Ann Freeman; and many nieces and nephews, among whom are those who were with him as he passed away: Jean Stephens, Charmaine Lindgren and Richard Freeman. Herb was preceded in death by his brothers Vernon (died in infancy), Vernon's twin Bernard (MIA in WWII), Glenn and Charles; and his sisters Olive and Thelma.

In accordance with Herb's wishes, there will be no visitation or memorial at this time. The family is receiving visitors informally at their home and friends may express their condolences as they wish.