MJ FREEMAN

1936 - 2017

FREEMAN, MJ Born May of 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Abraham and Rose (Steinberg) Freeman, died on Friday, November 17, 2017. He attended school in Cleveland where he made lifelong friends, was a varsity athlete in both football and track and developed a love of learning. His academic path led him from Kent State University to Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine to The University of Pennsylvania School of Graduate Medicine to a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Indiana University School of Dentistry. While at Indiana University he met and married Bella (Goodman). Together they moved to Dayton, Ohio where he practiced oral and maxillofacial surgery for over 35 years. He served on the staff of Children's Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, Miami Valley Hospital, and St. Elizabeth's Medical Center. He was a mentor for students and residents at those hospitals as well as at Wright State University's Medical School and the University of Cincinnati Hospitals. MJ led by example serving terms as President of the Dayton Dental Society, the Ohio Oral and Maxillofacial Society and the Great Lakes Oral and Maxillofacial Society. With pride he retired from the US Naval Reserves as a Lieutenant Commander after 20 years of service. To MJ, happiness was working alongside medical teams that brought their expertise to others in Central America and Israel or sitting alongside his ROMEO friends in Cleveland and in Dayton. As a proud citizen of Dayton he enjoyed participating as a member of the Rotary Club of Downtown Dayton; was a long-time supporter of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra; and The University of Dayton Osher Life Long Learning Institute. Each organization brought continued friendships and learning. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years; their three cherished children, Lisa (Brian), Laura (Adam), and Jonathan (Heidi); their grandchildren, Abigail, David, Aden, Ethan and Julia; and a brother, Ralph. MJ's family would like to extend note of gratitude to Dr. Frank Von Maluski and his staff; to the caregivers at Home Instead; to the nurses and staff at Bethany Lutheran Village and to Hospice of Dayton for their kindness and care. A private funeral service was held on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 with Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz officiating. Interment Riverview Cemetery. If desired memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or to the Developmental Pediatrics Department at Dayton Children's Hospital, AH Foundation, One Children's Plaza, Dayton, Ohio, 45404, in MJ's memory. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Marker & Heller Funeral Homes, North Main Street Chapel.