Mitchel D. Freeman was a born teacher and renaissance man. He passed away, Sunday, March 26, 2023 in Grove City, OH. In his 66 years he taught his family, friends, students, athletes and coworkers many things. Whether sharing the finer points of laying brick, correcting your pronunciation of the word water, or recalling Pistol Pete’s college scoring statistics, he was great at changing and expanding minds. He may have taught you how to run a little faster, install a gas light mantle or break a full court press, but regardless of the lesson, he left you a better person in just one conversation.
Mitch was born to Wayne and Carol Freeman on August 23, 1956. Always one to surround himself with family, he did not come into the world alone. His twin, Michael, has always been by his side. Mitch grew up learning the masonry trade from his dad and the art of good conversation from his mom. He graduated from Eastwood Local Schools in 1974 and married his high school sweetheart Denise two years later, on October 30, 1976. They built a home in Pemberville together where they raised their pride and joy, their daughter Andrea.
Always hard working, Mitch began his career at Columbia Gas in 1975 and steadily worked his way up from reading meters to management, all while working towards a college degree from Heidelberg. A lifelong dream of teaching was always in his heart and in 2001 Mitch graduated from Bowling Green State University with his teaching degree. He taught 6th graders math, English and life lessons at Eastwood Middle School and also coached girls basketball for eight years. He returned to Columbia Gas in 2008, taking a job in Columbus to be closer to Andrea and Mike. He retired in 2015 and spent the next several years doing home improvement projects, riding motorcycles with Denise, and most importantly as PopPop-extraordinaire to his grandson and namesake, Mitchel.
Mitch was diagnosed with dementia in 2019 and although his memory and communication slowed, he continued to teach us all about perseverance and joy. He spent his final years at home with Denise, who made certain he was surrounded with love. Those that will continue to carry on his legacy are his wife, Denise, daughter, Andrea Black, son-in-law, Joe Black and his grandchildren, Mitchel and James; his siblings: Rick and Sonia Freeman, Tom and Shelley Bowlus, Mike and Ann Freeman, Dan and Laurie Magrum, Steve and Kristen Freeman; nieces and nephews: Adam and Michelle Freeman, Brian and Allison Freeman, Zach and Janelle Bowlus, Andrew and Nicole Bowlus, Grant and Casey Haldeman, Chad Fishter and Lauren Freeman, Pete Freeman, David Magrum and Shonagh Russel, Eric Magrum and Jessica Clendenning, Tyler Freeman, and Scott Freeman. Mitch was welcomed in heaven by his parents Wayne and Carol Freeman and his nephew, Nicholas Magrum.
Friends and family will be received Monday, April 3rd from 3p – 7p at Marsh & Marsteller Funeral Home, 4094 State Route 105, Pemberville with a funeral service at 11a., Tuesday, April 4th at Cedar Creek Church, 29129 Lime City Road, Perrysburg, OH 43551. In lieu of flowers, memorials can take the form of contributions to Rock City Church, Hospice of Central Ohio or the Alzheimer’s Association. If Mitch taught you something or there is a memory you would like to share, you can email RemindersOfMitch@gmail.com or share it at www.marshfuneralhomes.com.
