Leroy Freeman

leroy-freeman

Leroy Freeman, age 82 of Bridgeport, passed away Friday, March 15, 2019 in Bridgeport at Aperion Care. He was born March 31, 1936 in Storm Lake, IA to Robert M. Freeman and his wife Zella Helen (Rice) Freeman.

On July 18. 1969, Leroy married Carol A. Schafer at Good Hope Baptist Church in Clay City, IN. Carol survives and will cherish their almost 50 years of marriage. They were long-time members of Shiloh Baptist Church, and Leroy was an Ordained Deacon at the church. His faith was strong and set a good example for those around him.

Leroy graduated high school and went on to further his education. He graduated from Cascade College, received his Bachelor’s Degree of Theology from Multnomah School of the Bible, went to Eastern Illinois University and received his Master’s Degree in Education in 1972, and humbly received his Ordination in 1988. Leroy primarily taught Social Science at Parkview Junior High School in Lawrenceville with a few Math classes throughout his career. Following his retirement from teaching at Parkview, he substitute taught for 10 years at numerous local schools until he decided helping Carol with her In-Home Daycare was what he wanted to do. Leroy left a positive impact on countless lives in the different roles he filled throughout his life.

Surviving family includes: his wife- Carol Freeman of Bridgeport: five children- Tim Freeman and wife Tiina of Edmonds, WA, Lorre Freeman and her fiancé Tom Jackson of Moore OK, Michael Freeman of Oklahoma City, OK, David Freeman and wife Samantha of Evansville, IN, and Shannon Weiss and husband Buck of Hixson, TN: thirteen grandchildren- Tiia and Taneli Freeman, Brittany, Heaven, Randy, and Lance Freeman, Rachel and Daniel Freeman, Ashlyn and Landon Freeman, and Kenley, Whitley, and Wilder Weiss: three great-grandchildren- Liam Hall, Vera Hall, and Benjamin Arconati: and close family friends- Alene and Doug Turley

He was preceded in death by: his parents- Robert M. and Zella Helen Freeman: his first wife- Roxelle Freeman: and seven siblings- Quinten, Orpha, Fritz, Shirley, Kermit, Arnim, and Daryl.

A funeral service for Leroy Freeman will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Shiloh Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at Cunningham Funeral Home in Bridgeport on Tuesday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place in Bridgeport City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Carmi Baptist Children’s Home directly (1336 N 950 East Rd of Carmi, IL 62821) or through the funeral home. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.cunninghamfuneralhomes.com.