Marvin F. Freel

Marvin Felix Freel of Mishawaka was born in Kewanna, Indiana on May 19, 1924 to Grover and Ida (Grimes) Freel. When Marvin was very young his parents passed away and he then lived with his uncle and aunt, Amos and Myrtle Hickle, moving to South Bend in 1940. On June 26, 1948, Marvin married Mary Markl in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in South Bend. They were happily married for 63 years until his passing to eternal life on December 27, 2011.

Marvin is survived by his wife, Mary; and they were blessed with three daughters, Kathleen (Ernest) Young of Mishawaka, Bonita (Michael) Raschein of Reeseville, Wisconsin, Anna-Marie (Andrew) Wierzbicki of South Bend; two sons, Brother Chester Freel, CSC of Notre Dame and John (Rose) Freel of Elkhart; eight grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

Marvin was preceded in death by a grandson, Joseph Raschein; and five brothers, Charles, Basil, Chester, Ivan “Bill”, and Dale Freel.

Marvin attended Ivy Tech where he studied Quality Control processes. He retired from Uniroyal after 45 years, and last worked in the Quality Control Lab. Marvin was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Mishawaka where he served as an usher and on the Parish Council for many years. For 35 years he was a Committee Member and Chairperson of Boy Scout Troop 515 and Cub Pack 515 and received the St. George Award from the Catholic Committee of Scouting and was the recipient of the State of Indiana George Meaney Award on Scouting. Marvin served on the committee for Uniroyal Retirees and AFL-CIO Retirees Club, was Chairman of the Steelworkers Retirees Club and served on the Executive Board of the Indiana State Retirement Club. He belonged to the Mishawaka FOE #2083 for many years.

Marvin dearly loved his family and enjoyed traveling, fishing and gardening. While their children were still young, the family traveled the United States on annual vacations, camping their way across the country with tent, camping stove and assorted outdoor gear. In retirement, Marvin and Mary traveled overseas several times, always returning with great stories, many pictures and a renewed appreciation for the greatness of the United States.

Friends may spend time with Marvin’s family Tuesday, Jan. 3, from 4 - 7 pm in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka with Parish Prayers at 5 pm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 10 am in St. Monica Catholic Church, 222 W. Mishawaka, Ave, Mishawaka, with Monsignor Bruce Piechoki officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka. Visitation will also be from 9 - 10 am Wednesday in church.

Memorials are suggested to Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame, Indiana. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.