Obituary for Clifford Estel Freeman
Clifford Estel Freeman passed away Monday, December 14, 2020 at Owen Valley Health Campus. Clifford was born May 25, 1924 to Estel and Pearl Freeman of Whitehall, Indiana. He was a World War II veteran. He received his draft notice at the age of 17 and as a young, farm boy he was thrust out into a strange, new world. He served in the Army-Air Corps in various positions in the motor pool as a mechanic, truck mechanic, and driver and in the Army of Occupations, a position where he guarded German prisoners. His last assignment was as crew chief, working with aircraft, specifically servicing P51 airplanes. He was stationed mainly in England, Germany and France.
Upon his return from the war, he married Vera Jones McGlocklin. When seeing her for the first time, he commented to his cousin that she was the woman he would marry. Clifford and Vera celebrated sixty-six years together before Vera’s death in 2012. Their marriage was one that was strong and loving and they set an example for all who knew them.
By trade, Clifford was a trained brick and stone mason. His expert craftsmanship can be seen all around Bloomington, especially on the campus of Indiana University. However, he was a multi-talented man. He loved working with engines and cars, and was an accomplished carpenter and house builder. Whatever he wanted to do, he was successful in completing the task. He was always available to help others, giving freely of himself, and enjoying the act of making things better. Whenever something was broken, he was quick to say, “That can be fixed.” His first thought was never to throw away and buy new. In almost all attempts, he was able to bring restoration to the item or the situation, often times making it better than the original.
Clifford was a wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, son, and brother. His first and foremost objective was to make life better for his family and friends, and he did so with much love and devotion.
Clifford is survived by his children, Marchetta Blanton of Palm Desert, California, Vickie Pendill (Landon) of St. Albans, Missouri, and Connie Giles of Bloomington, Indiana; grandchildren, Melissa Turley, Monice Holter (Vance), Tammy Kefallinos (Nick), Jennifer King (Andy), Lanny Pendill (Jaime), Sarah Van Berkum (Jamie), Wes Giles, and Scott Giles (Amelia). He is survived by sisters, Mildred Hendricks and Naomi Holtsclaw as well as twenty great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Myrtle Gentry, Paul Freeman, Bernard Freeman, and Mary Freeman; wife, Vera Freeman; son, Walter McGlocklin; grandson, Jeffrey McGlocklin; and a son-in-law, Kenneth Giles.
Clifford was an honest, generous, hard-working man who lived his life in a way that no matter what he did or where he went, he left the place in better shape than when he found it. He will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. until the service hour on Monday, December 21, 2020 at The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard, 3000 E. 3rd St., Bloomington, Indiana 47401.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Monday at The Funeral Chapel with Ron Hamrick officiating. Entombment to follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens.
Upon his return from the war, he married Vera Jones McGlocklin. When seeing her for the first time, he commented to his cousin that she was the woman he would marry. Clifford and Vera celebrated sixty-six years together before Vera’s death in 2012. Their marriage was one that was strong and loving and they set an example for all who knew them.
By trade, Clifford was a trained brick and stone mason. His expert craftsmanship can be seen all around Bloomington, especially on the campus of Indiana University. However, he was a multi-talented man. He loved working with engines and cars, and was an accomplished carpenter and house builder. Whatever he wanted to do, he was successful in completing the task. He was always available to help others, giving freely of himself, and enjoying the act of making things better. Whenever something was broken, he was quick to say, “That can be fixed.” His first thought was never to throw away and buy new. In almost all attempts, he was able to bring restoration to the item or the situation, often times making it better than the original.
Clifford was a wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, son, and brother. His first and foremost objective was to make life better for his family and friends, and he did so with much love and devotion.
Clifford is survived by his children, Marchetta Blanton of Palm Desert, California, Vickie Pendill (Landon) of St. Albans, Missouri, and Connie Giles of Bloomington, Indiana; grandchildren, Melissa Turley, Monice Holter (Vance), Tammy Kefallinos (Nick), Jennifer King (Andy), Lanny Pendill (Jaime), Sarah Van Berkum (Jamie), Wes Giles, and Scott Giles (Amelia). He is survived by sisters, Mildred Hendricks and Naomi Holtsclaw as well as twenty great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Myrtle Gentry, Paul Freeman, Bernard Freeman, and Mary Freeman; wife, Vera Freeman; son, Walter McGlocklin; grandson, Jeffrey McGlocklin; and a son-in-law, Kenneth Giles.
Clifford was an honest, generous, hard-working man who lived his life in a way that no matter what he did or where he went, he left the place in better shape than when he found it. He will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. until the service hour on Monday, December 21, 2020 at The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard, 3000 E. 3rd St., Bloomington, Indiana 47401.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Monday at The Funeral Chapel with Ron Hamrick officiating. Entombment to follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens.