Inez C. Freeman

PIERCE — Services for Inez C. Freeman, 80, of Pierce will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pierce. The Rev. John E. Nelson Jr. will officiate with burial in Zion East Lutheran Cemetery in rural Hoskins. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Sunday at Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk. She died Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. Inez C. Freeman was born on the family farm in rural Wayne to Venus and Alice (Donner) Weich. She was baptized on March 22, 1936, and confirmed June 19, 1949, at Zion East Lutheran Church near Hoskins. She attended School District 77 in Wayne County and graduated from Norfolk High School in 1953. She then graduated from Wayne College of Teaching. After college, Inez taught grade school at District 22 in Wayne County, and she also taught at District 74 at Wayne County. She married Melvin Freeman on June 12, 1955, at Zion East Lutheran Church near Hoskins. Inez and Melvin moved to the farm, where they raised livestock and milked cows. She enjoyed reading, needle work, making crafts, attending her grandchildren’s events and cooking for her grandchildren during the weekends. She was a member at Mount Olive Lutheran Church after she and Melvin got married, then later became members at Zion East Lutheran Church. Inez was a life member at Zion East Lutheran Church, where she held many offices such as ladies aide, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and taught Sunday school for 20-plus years, until the church closed. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Survivors include her children, Julie and spouse Paul Widhalm of Norfolk, Wendy and spouse Greg Schulze of Norfolk, Brad and spouse Lisa Freeman of Pierce; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her spouse, Melvin in March 2004; parents Venus and Alice Weich; a sister, Delma Vyhlidal; and a brother, Elton Weich. Music for the service will be provided by Jill McElhose. Casketbearers will be Brian Widhalm, Matthew Schulze, Aaron Schulze, Brandon Freeman, Collin Freeman, Austin Freeman, Dalton Freeman and Lonnie Pollard. Honorary casketbearers will be Tina Pollard, JaTara Pollard, ReAnna Pollard, Laura Widhalm, EmmaLynn Widhalm and Juliette Widhalm. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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Inez C. Freeman

February 23, 1936 - March 2, 2016