Merlin L. Freeman, 86, of Friedensburg, passed away Saturday at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey.
Born in Wayne Township, July 9, 1930, he was a son of the late Harrison E. and Margaret M. Nagle Freeman.
He was the widower of Florence E. "Tootie" Reed Freeman, who preceded him in death on June 24, 2003.
He had been employed as a union boilermaker for Local 13.
Merlin was a member of St. Mark's Brown's Church, Wayne Township. He also belonged to the Pine Grove Fish & Game, Pine Grove VFW Post 3432, Friedensburg Game & Fish, and Camp Robert.
Merlin is survived by two sons, Lamar E. Freeman and wife, Patti, Rock, and Terry L. Freeman and wife, Therese, Pine Grove; a daughter, Candice L. Freeman, Pine Grove; six grandchildren, Gregory, Jody, Matthew, Melissa, Jonas and Israel; great-grandchildren, Connor, Lincoln, Addison, Griffin, Trenton, Blake and Elijah; a great-granddaughter on the way; a sister, Betty Brown, Schuylkill Haven.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ebling-Stabingas Funeral Home, Cressona. A Celebration of Life funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at St. John's Reformed Church, Friedensburg, with the Rev. Michael Smith officiating. An additional viewing time will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of service Friday at the church. Interment will follow the service at St. John's Reformed Church Cemetery, Friedensburg. The family requests donations in Merlin's memory to St. Mark's Brown's Memorial Fund, 1764 Fair Road, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972, or St. John's Reformed Memorial Fund, Box 58, Friedensburg, PA 17933.