Obituary for Elmer Freeman
Elmer Freeman, age 83, of Vestaburg passed away Tuesday January 17, 2023, with his family by his side.
Elmer was born on July 21, 1939, in Lansing, MI to Dale and Margaret (Hartman) Freeman. He would tell you that he walked 2 miles, uphill both ways, to attend Vestaburg Community Schools, graduating in 1957. After high school, while working at General Electric, he met and married Hazel Marie Ley Snyder on April 27, 1962, and acquired 3 children Tim, Glenda, and Laura Snyder. Later in 1962, Elmer joined the U.S. Army where he became a Military Police Officer in Germany until 1964. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he continued farming and added 3 more children Cheryl, Doug and David to the family. In 1970, he began working in the insurance industry and finished his career in September 2020 with Modern Woodmen of America after 47 plus years. Elmer loved spending time with his family, his postcard collection and collecting antiques. After the death of his first wife, Hazel, in 1979 he married Faith LaBonville Osborn on June 2, 1980, and continued living in Vestaburg for the remainder of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Faith Freeman; his children Tim Snyder (Stacy) of Six Lakes, Glenda Hansen (Kevin) of Vestaburg, Laura Oliver (Paul) of Maurepas, LA, Cheryl Haywood (Dave) of Mecosta, Doug Freeman (Terri) of Vestaburg, David Freeman (Jennifer Watson) of Union City, MI; grandchildren, Kyle, Kelly, Jonathon, Stephanie, Travis, Tony, Karie, Chelsea, Ryan, Troy and Tanner; great grandchildren Kenzie, Kain, Chad Jr, Tres, Mac, Rayleigh, Rexthon, Carter, Easton, Lydia, Cooper, Aslynn, Willow Rose, and Lachlan; sisters Sharry Cotsman (Gary) of Mt. Pleasant, Joanne Baldwin of Mt. Pleasant; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, wife Hazel; and granddaughter Shaunna Burke.
Funeral Services for Elmer will take place at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 1 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Montcalm County Animal Shelter. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel. The family will receive friends on Friday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. until the time of the service.
Elmer was born on July 21, 1939, in Lansing, MI to Dale and Margaret (Hartman) Freeman. He would tell you that he walked 2 miles, uphill both ways, to attend Vestaburg Community Schools, graduating in 1957. After high school, while working at General Electric, he met and married Hazel Marie Ley Snyder on April 27, 1962, and acquired 3 children Tim, Glenda, and Laura Snyder. Later in 1962, Elmer joined the U.S. Army where he became a Military Police Officer in Germany until 1964. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he continued farming and added 3 more children Cheryl, Doug and David to the family. In 1970, he began working in the insurance industry and finished his career in September 2020 with Modern Woodmen of America after 47 plus years. Elmer loved spending time with his family, his postcard collection and collecting antiques. After the death of his first wife, Hazel, in 1979 he married Faith LaBonville Osborn on June 2, 1980, and continued living in Vestaburg for the remainder of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Faith Freeman; his children Tim Snyder (Stacy) of Six Lakes, Glenda Hansen (Kevin) of Vestaburg, Laura Oliver (Paul) of Maurepas, LA, Cheryl Haywood (Dave) of Mecosta, Doug Freeman (Terri) of Vestaburg, David Freeman (Jennifer Watson) of Union City, MI; grandchildren, Kyle, Kelly, Jonathon, Stephanie, Travis, Tony, Karie, Chelsea, Ryan, Troy and Tanner; great grandchildren Kenzie, Kain, Chad Jr, Tres, Mac, Rayleigh, Rexthon, Carter, Easton, Lydia, Cooper, Aslynn, Willow Rose, and Lachlan; sisters Sharry Cotsman (Gary) of Mt. Pleasant, Joanne Baldwin of Mt. Pleasant; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, wife Hazel; and granddaughter Shaunna Burke.
Funeral Services for Elmer will take place at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 1 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Montcalm County Animal Shelter. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel. The family will receive friends on Friday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. until the time of the service.