Warren Paul Freestone

Warren Paul Freestone, of Bangor, age 93, was born April 15, 1921 to Wallace and Marene Freestone in their family home in Bangor, Michigan. He passed to Eternal Life with Jesus on December 8, 2014 in Faith Hospice, Byron Center, MI, with loving family by his side, following a brief illness. Warren grew up as the middle of three adventurous boys, and noted that he had four very special friends from youth until they passed away: Merit Overton Jr., Cecil Monk, Orville “Cocky” Willis and Sid Smith. After graduating from Bangor High, where he enjoyed and excelled at basketball, football and baseball, he attended Western Michigan and ran cross country there. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen Overton, in 1944 and celebrated their 62nd anniversary before her passing in 2006. Warren and Helen lovingly raised their three children, Gary, Susie and Gordie on a small farm outside Bangor while he was employed by Fuller Mfg. (later Eaton Corp.), advancing from line work to foreman, then general foreman, retiring in 1978 to his lifetime passionate hobbies of fishing, hunting, and traveling to the 50 states, Canada and Mexico with Helen, as well as close friends and family. He was dedicated to the Bangor Christian Church (later Church of Christ), where he was an active member, serving in many ways. In later years he attended the First Congregational Church and Simpson Methodist Church, and enjoyed rich fellowship with friends there. Warren was also involved in the local Kiwanis Club, Bangor Fire Board, and Masons over the years. Many in the community knew him as the “rose man” since he shared the abundance of his garden with rose bowl deliveries throughout the seasons, as recently as early November of this year. Warren lived his 93 years as a “youngster” in many ways by staying connected with young people in his family, neighborhood, and Bangor High School sports. He had a deep admiration for the men who had been his coaches, and he and Helen supported the following generations by attending boys and girls sports of all kinds with devotion and enthusiasm. Warren continued late in life, even during the 2013-14 basketball season, with the help of a dear friend and fellow sports enthusiast, Otto Watkins. He was preceded in death by his two brothers and their wives, Roger and Florence Freestone, Kenneth (Dutch) and Jane Freestone, his brother-in-law and friend, Merit Overton Jr. and nephews Paul and David, with whom he had a special bond. His sister-in-law, Marie Overton, survives him, along with several nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by Gary, Susie (Marlette) and Gordie, along with his grandsons, Steve and Tim Marlette and Brian Freestone, and great-grandchildren Meghan and Nicholas Marlette. A memorial celebration of Warren’s life will be held at the Bangor Church of Christ on Saturday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall, kindly served by the ladies of the church. In lieu of flowers that Warren so loved in this life, his family would appreciate donations to the Bangor Historical Society of which he was a lifetime member, encourager and supporter, the churches Warren attended, or a hospice of choice. Arrangements by BANGOR CHAPEL D.L. Miller Funeral Home, www.dlmillerfuneralhome.com.

Warren Paul Freestone

April 15, 1921 - December 8, 2014