Richard Freeman
March 30, 1932 ~ September 18, 2017 (age 85) 85 Years OldShare using:
Richard Freeman, 85, of Summit Station, passed peacefully into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father on Monday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street.
Richard was born at home in Summit Station on Palm Sunday, March 20, 1932, a son of the late William and Oneida Reber Freeman.
He was the devoted husband of Betty I. Paul Freeman, the love of his life, with whom he shared 65 years of marriage on June 28.
Richard was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Summer Hill.
He was a graduate of Cressona High School, Class of 1950, where he earned the nickname "Mushy" for his good looks and kind personality. He worked as a grader operator for J.R. Bazley and George Lynn construction companies for several years and later as a heavy-equipment operator for Eastern Industries, Oley, from which he retired in 1994.
Richard loved his home and simple pleasures of life. He enjoyed flowers of all varieties and gardening, and he loved to share his harvest with family and neighbors. He was also an accomplished woodworker, turning out lamps, bowls and a few rocking chairs from his workshop. An imposing man in his 6'3" frame, he was a gentle giant who loved to hug and be hugged. His greatest joy was his family, which he treasured. To them, he was the example of what a man should be, combining strength of character, honesty, wisdom, integrity, humor, enduring love for others and bravery in the face of adversity.
Richard was preceded in death by sisters, Esther Clauser and Dorothy Fessler.
In addition to his wife, he will be deeply missed by his children, Deborah Dowell, wife of Kenneth, Summit Station, Jeffrey Freeman, husband of Cynthia, Pine Grove, and Sharon Trostle, wife of Chris, Elizabethtown; grandchildren, Justin, Jessica, Kendra, Blair, Evan and Noah; six great-grandchildren and a seventh due in October; nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Summer Hill, Auburn, with the Rev. Kathleen Ash-Flashner officiating. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 1185 Summer Hill Road, Auburn, PA 17922, or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society , 5100 Tilghman St., Suite 40, Allentown, PA 18104. Interment will be in Summer Hill Cemetery, Auburn.
