HOWARD J. FREUND

Howard J. Freund of Palatine Howard J. Freund, 88, passed away Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. He was born on July 17, 1924, in Johnsburg, IL. Howard had a passion for baseball and loved the Cubs. When he turned 15 he played for a hometown baseball team the Johnsburg Tigers. Johnsburg was the smallest town in the league however they won seven championships in 10 years. In 1952, he won the Illinois State Semi Pro Championship, an amateur team, yet played the semi pros (which was unusual). When Howard was 19 he was scouted by Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby. He played with the Chicago Cubs for three months and continued to play on the Cubs Farm League in 1945. He also played on a roller hockey league that traveled all over McHenry County. Howard was on the board of directors for both Palatine Little League and Babe Ruth League. He was a member of the Moose and Elks Clubs, and was an avid golfer having scored 4 holes-in-one! Howard was employed with United Airlines for 20 years. He was married to the beloved Betty Maxwell on Nov. 22, 1947, in Johnsburg, IL. Howard and Betty raised their seven children in Palatine, IL and later moved to Surprise, AZ in 1999. They remained there until this past August when they returned to Illinois. Howard is survived by his spouse, Betty; sons, Kevin (Cheryl) of Crystal Lake, Craig (Jan) of Huntley, Keith (Shirley) of Crystal Lake, Ken (Patty) of Palatine, Curt (Tina) of Palatine and daughters, Denise Loth (Richard) of Bisbee, Ariz. and Dawn Freund of Wisconsin; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; as well as Howard's brother, Lloyd Freund (Doris); and many nieces and nephews. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, the late Peter and Emma Freund of Johnsburg IL; brother, Alvin Freund of Chicago, IL; sisters, Rita Miller and Lorraine Rutzen of Johnsburg IL. A celebration of life will be held in Howard's honor on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Jameson's Charhouse, 1331 W. Dundee Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mooseheart International. Please make checks payable to Moose Charities located at 155 S. International Drive, Mooseheart, IL 60539-1100.