Eugene "Gene" R. Freeman

Eugene “Gene” R. Freeman, 82, of Mishawaka, passed away early Sunday morning, June 17, 2018, at Elkhart Hospice House.

Gene was born June 4, 1936 in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, a son of the late Charles and Edna (DeMuer) Freeman. He moved with his family to Mishawaka when he was very young. Gene grew up on the family farm in Penn Township and was a graduate of the Madison School.

Gene was a crop, dairy and pig farmer. He also was a school bus driver with Penn Harris Madison Schools for 35 years. He was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Mishawaka, and formerly belonged to the Madison Township Lions Club. At one time, Gene was active with the Penn Schools Sports Booster Club. He enjoyed sports and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. Gene also liked attending Penn Football and Basketball games as well as Notre Dame Women’s Basketball and Bethel College Men’s Basketball games. He enjoyed following the New Outlook Gospel Group.

Gene married Elnora Besinger on August 27, 1955 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, and she survives. Also surviving are three sons, Mark (Becky) Freeman, Marty (Jan) Freeman and Monty (Jennifer) Freeman; nine grandchildren, Aaron Freeman, Kelsey (Josh) Gamble, Shannon Freeman, Benjamin (Kristen) Freeman, Betsy (Mark) Bartholomew, Nate (Kaleena) Freeman, Dalton Freeman, Dillon Freeman and Breanne Freeman; three great grandchildren, Lillian Freeman, Kieran Freeman and Wyatt Bartholomew; a sister, Joyce Miller; and three brothers, Richard (Janet) Freeman, Robert (Lois) Freeman and Kenneth (Louise) Freeman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Thursday, June 21, in Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4508 Vistula Road, Mishawaka, with Rev. John Eze officiating. Burial will follow at Ferrisville Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 – 4 pm and 6 – 8 pm on Wednesday in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, and from 9:30 – 10:30 am on Thursday in church.

Memorials are suggested to Center for Hospice Care (Hospice Foundation) or American Cancer Society.