PAWNEE ROCK — Samuel Stephen Freeman, 68, passed away on July 10, 2024 near Pawnee Rock, Kan. Born in Brushy Knob, Mo. on Oct. 23, 1955 he was the son of Chester and Helen (Lacey) Freeman. Sam was a resident of Ellinwood since 1989 formerly of Hays and Missouri. He married Joan Dechant on July 23, 1984. He worked as a machinist from 1989-2007 at GBI and later was a custom harvester before retiring around 2020. He could fix anything and enjoyed working with his hands from vehicles, construction and raising his gardens. He had a passion collecting antiques of any kind and riding his motorcycles. He would help anyone and knew no strangers. Sam loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He was always happy to watch his grandchildren and teach them all he knew. He will be dearly missed. 

Survivors include the love of his life, Joan Freeman; sons Chester “Steve” (Heidi) Freeman, Ellinwood, Kan., Samuel “Doug” Freeman, Ellinwood, Kan., Aaron Freeman, Great Bend, Kan. and Mark (Bambi) Freeman, Ellinwood, Kan.; daughter Crystal Freeman (Tina), Ellinwood, Kan.; beloved grandchildren Justin, Nathaniel, Taylor, Tia, Harleey, Haevyn, Nayomi, Cody, and Henley; great grandsons Levi and Oliver; brothers Nick (Dorothy) Freeman, Wonderlake, Ill., Wes (Karen) Freeman, McKinney, Texas, Paul  (Glenna) Freeman, Oldfield, Mo., Doug (Judy) Freeman, Porum, Okla., Kent Freeman, Mansfield, Mo. and Mark (Rosalyn) Freeman, Oldfield Mo.; sisters  Carla Freeman, Savannah, Tenn., Valerie Long, Mansfield, Mo., Charlene Foster, Olive Hill, Tenn., Tomma Seitzinger,  Broomfield, Colo., Merry Lou DeBonis (Dan), Lucerne, Calif., Robyn Jarrett (Aaron) and Stephanie Connell (Brian) all of Norwood, Mo. Sam was preceded in death by his parents; sister Paula Allen; daughter Krisy Welker and daughter in law Kiah Mead.

Memorial service will take place 10:30 a.m., Sat., July 20th at Cavalry Baptist Church in Ellinwood, Kan. with Pastor Ray Willis officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested towards funeral expenses in care of Minnis Chapel, P.O. Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Minnis Chapel

P.O. Box 246 

Ellinwood, KS 67526

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 16, 2024