George R. Freel

George Richard Freel, our devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to all passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Monday, August 12, 2019 at Brian's House. He was born in Bay City, MI on February 12, 1941 to the late Dr. John A. and Agnes (Krzewina) Freel. George retired from Dow Chemical Co. after 32 years of service and went on to work for another company for 6 years. He was active in the United Way, Forward Bay County and the U.A.W. Local No. 1041. He served 3 terms as the Exalted Ruler of Houghton-Higgins Lodge No. 1982, B.P.O.E. He served on the Bay City School Board and the American Red Cross Board. He was proud to be a member of the 1956 St. Joseph High School Football Team which was inducted into the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame. George was an avid golfer and had played at St. Andrews in Scotland. His favorite place to play was Biloxi, Mississippi. He is survived by his wife, the former Shirley A. Tackman, whom he married August 1, 1959. He also leaves a daughter Brenda (Scott Cutten) Curler, 2 sons: Jeffrey J. (Olive) Freel and Kevin G. Freel, 4 grandchildren: Angelia, Sarah, Laura and John (the light of his life), 6 great grandchildren: Emma, Laura, Liam, Ethan and twins Aaron and Aiden, his siblings: Pete (Mary Ann) Freel, Don (Kathy) Freel, Charles (Carol Ann) Freel, Mary (Leslie) Green and Patricia (Larry) Hill, his sisters-in-law: Mary Jane Freel, Terri Freel, Judy Freel and Louise Freel. He was preceded in death by a son Patrick Allen Freel and brothers Jerome, Bernard, Michael, Tom, Leon, John and Paul Freel. The Funeral Mass will be Friday, August 16, 2019 at 11 a.m. at All Saints Parish-St. James Church. The Rev. Jose Maria Cabrera will preside. Private entombment will be at St. Patrick Mausoleum. Visiting hours will be Thursday, August 15, 2019 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Penzien-Steele Funeral Home where a Vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Memorial tributes may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Brian's House.