KATHLEEN H. FREEMAN, age 91
formerly of Botkins, died peacefully on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 2022 at 4:53 A.M. at the Otterbein Senior Lifestyles Community in Cridersville, where she had resided. She was born on Easter Day, April 5, 1931 near Kettlersville, the daughter of the late William H. and Malinda A. (Quebe) Egbert. On August 23, 1964, she married Charles E. Freeman, who survives in Cridersville. Also surviving are her children and their spouses: Yvonne (Edward) George of Vonore, TN, Pamela (Michael) Buirley of Mt. Vernon, OH, Kevin (Margaret) Headings of Sidney, Robert (Jean) Freeman of Dallas, TX; her eleven grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren. Also left to cherish her memory are her siblings Hannah Kohler of Wapakoneta, and Thomas (Kay) Egbert of Circleville, OH. Along with her parents, Kathleen was preceded in death by her step-mother M. Ruth (Britton) Egbert, a son William Freeman, a granddaughter Mallory Headings, and her former husband Don E. Headings.
Kathleen was a graduate of Anna High School, and in her younger years was known for championing both the 1945 Shelby County Fair’s Grand and Reserve Champion Steers. She was a member of the Botkins United Methodist Church and worked for 20 years as a Dental Assistant at the dentist’s office near their home in Botkins. Kathleen had many talents including being an excellent seamstress and enjoyed crafting, crocheting and knitting, but she was an especially good fisherman. She and Charles spent a lot of free time fishing at various lakes locally and as far away as Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, and Canada. Charles and Kathleen raised their family to travel, taking cross country trips with their travel trailer, and later in life with their small airplane. After retirement, they continued their travels wintering in Florida, and adventuring farther away to Hawaii and Alaska and also enjoyed several cruises to various Caribbean islands. Kathleen was very proud of her family; the lives they built, and all of the accomplishments they achieved.
The Family of Kathleen H. Freeman will hold a Visitation and Celebration of Life Service on Easter Saturday, April 8, 2023 at the Sidney Boat Club, 1055 Riverside Drive, Sidney, Ohio. Visitation with the family will be held from 1:00 – 3:00pm with a Celebration of Life Service from 3:00 – 3:30pm. A private family gravesite inurnment service will be held on Easter Day in the Willow Grove Cemetery near New Bremen. Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen is assisting with arrangements, and condolences to the family can be left on the funeral home website at www.gilberghartwigfh.com.