Carl Freeman Jr.

1929 - 2025

Carl Freeman Jr., 95, passed peacefully Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Silvis Center, following an extended illness.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline.
Carl was born in June of 1929, son of Carl and Mary (Winders) Freeman. He married Elizabeth (Betty) Schattemann, May 29, 1948. He began his career at John Deere Harvester Works in 1949 as a hand trucker, retiring in 1984 as a member of management.
Carl grew up in the Moline Public school system with the class of 1947. He received an AA from Blackhawk College some time later.
Carl was ambitious and active for over 50 years primarily involved in volunteerism, coaching, and leadership. He began coaching football and basketball at St. Mary's in East Moline in 1955, Silvis Little League 1959. He and others started the UTHS Booster Club in 69-70. He was a member of Bowlesburg Dads Club. He ran the BIX a few times and was a Masters Gardener. He rode his bicycle from Cheyenne, Wyo. to the Quad Cities the week he retired from John Deere in 1984.
He enjoyed white water kayaking. He was in Rotary for many years and was appointed to REDEEM and also served nearly 20 years on the Illini Hospital Board. He was always coaching from the stands or sidelines long after he gave up his whistle.
He was recognized for his community service receiving the following awards: East Moline Citizen of the Year 1992, Rotarian of the Year 2000, East Moline Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds 1988.
Surviving loved ones who Carl cherished: daughters-in-law, Kathy Freeman, Rock Island and Cindy Freeman, St. Peter, Minn.; grandchildren, Matthew (Roxanne) Freeman, Moline, Laurie (Kevin) Holmes, Ocean Springs, Miss., Andrew (Sarah) Freeman, Rock Island, Joshua (Christine) Freeman, Naperville, Sooraj Ali (Archana Sooraj) Aaliyah, Anjali, Naperville, Michael (Melody) Freeman, Brownsburg, Ind., Tiffany (Damon) Johnson, Grantsburg, Wis., Molly (Donnie Bandy) Freeman, Iowa City, Iowa, Steven (Christine) Freeman, Woodstock, and Carl M. Freeman, Moline; son, Gary (Suze) Freeman, Hampton; 28 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Family members that preceded Carl in passing were his wife of 70 years, Betty; his sister, Helen Johnson; daughter, Peggy Freeman; and sons, Carl John Freeman and Thomas Michael Freeman.
The family of Carl would like to thank the staff at Silvis Center and Crosstown Square for their care in his final years.
Online condolences may be left to Carl's family at www.vanhoe.com.