Newburgh
Betty J. Freeman, 89, formerly of Columbus, died at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at Atria Assisted Living in Newburgh, Indiana.
Betty was born April 15, 1925, in Central City, Kentucky, the daughter of William and Oma Sosh.
She lived her early life in Kentucky and attended Madisonville Elementary School before graduating from Uniontown High School in 1942. She worked with the County Clerk’s Office in Morganfield, Kentucky, from 1943 to 1945, and then with the Red Cross at Camp Breckinridge Army Base in Morganfield.
In 1949, she married Harry Freeman and moved to Indiana in 1950. Betty had lived in Columbus since 1953 and was employed by and/or volunteered with the Red Cross for over 50 years until retiring in 1999.
During her 56 years as a member, Betty was a Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher and member of the choir at Grace Lutheran Church.
Betty received the Sagamore of the Wabash and Kentucky Colonel awards when she retired from the Red Cross and was an honorary member of the Indiana National Guard “Desert Storm.” Bartholomew County and the State of Indiana honored Betty on November 5, 1998, by declaring it “Betty June Freeman Day” for her “undying and dedicated commitment to serve this community and her love and compassion for her fellow human beings.”
Betty enjoyed bowling, yard work, bingo, NASCAR, the Colts and being with friends.
The funeral will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 2, 2015, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with Pastor John Armstrong officiating. Calling will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service Monday. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Red Cross through the funeral home.
Survivors include her son, Nelson E. Freeman of Newburgh; daughters, Sara M. Green of Columbus and Nancy R. Towe of Madisonville, Kentucky; daughters-in-law, Mary Freeman and Dona Riley; grandchildren, Billy Frank, Michael, Lori, David, James, John, Michelle, Jeremy Dale, J.R., Jason, Jacob, Jessica, Kristen and Stacy; and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Oma Sosh; husband, Harry Freeman, who died February 27, 2007; son, Michael D. Freeman; and siblings, Nelson and LaRue Sosh, and Peggy Thompson.
You are invited to view her video tribute after 1 p.m. Sunday, light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the Internet.
