John Freed

John Edward Freed, the youngest of three children, was born January 8th 1944 to George and Dorothy (Jensen) Freed in Belleville, Kansas, and passed away September 1st 2011 at Salina Regional Health Center, Salina KS at the age of 67 years 7 months and 24 days. He grew up on the Freed farm north of Courtland. He was an excellent athlete and participated in football, basketball, and track. He graduated from Courtland High School in 1962, and continued his love of sports by refereeing high school football games, playing town-team basketball, and one of Judy's not so favorites - hand-fishing with his buddies.

He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Judith Lea Francis on February 24th 1963 and to this union one son and three daughters were born, Christopher, Shelly, Mary and Caroline. He was preceded in death by his father George in 1982 and his mother Dorothy in 2001. He is survived by his wife, Judy of Scandia, Kansas, one son Chris Freed and his wife Crystal of Scandia, and three daughters, Shelly Anderson and her husband Steve of Courtland, Mary Kinsey and her husband Jerod of Mankato, and Caroline Flavin and her fiance Keenan Elwood of Concordia KS; eleven grandchildren, Kyle, Chelsea, Kesley, Carly, Courtney, Casey, Chanse, Michael, Brennan, Lauren, and Ashten; one great granddaughter Bailey; two sisters, Dee Burton of Belleville KS, and Beth Sheahan and husband Dan of Loveland CO and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He farmed north of Courtland for many years before moving to Scandia and working for Premium Feeders, Inc. until retiring. He loved to sing, and was an avid Elvis fan. He also enjoyed woodworking, spending time with his children and grandchildren, attending their sporting events and other activities, taking them fishing, and creating many happy memories with his endless funny stories. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at the United Methodist Church in Scandia, Kansas with Pastor Kathy Aeillo officiating. Burial was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery rural Courtland, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the John E. Freed memorial. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas was in charge of these arrangements.