Berniece R. Freeman, age 94, of Garrett passed away on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Garrett. 

She was born in Kendallville on May 11, 1923 to John and Gertrude (Trowbridge) Hartman.  She was a graduate of Ashley High School. 

She married Floyd Freeman on December 5, 1941.  He preceded her in death on August 7, 1973. 

Mrs. Freeman and her husband owned and operated Floyd’s Place restaurant in Garrett from 1959 until 1974.  She then worked at Creek Chub Bait in Garrett and Timmy’s Pizza also in Garrett.  She volunteered up until this last week for many years at the Community Food Bank in Garrett.

She was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Garrett where she sung in the choir and worked in the church preschool.  She loved walking and many people around Garrett knew her as “the walking lady.”

Survivors include: 

Daughter and son-in-law; Linda and Bill Rippe of Fort Wayne.

Daughter and son-in-law; Lynn and Mike Jacobs of Garrett.

Daughter and son-in-law; Lora and Joel Esslinger of Fort Wayne.

8 grandchildren and their spouses; Tom and Tiffany Rippe, Doug and Sarah Rippe, Shane Jacobs, Chad and Courtney Jacobs, Courtney and Mike Beerens, Brittney and John DeKoninck, Adam and Nicole Esslinger and Sara and Adam Young.

17 great grandchildren.

Brother; Harold Hartman of Kendallville.

Many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; Floyd, great grandson; Liam Beerens and 2 brothers; Ralph Hartman and Walter Hartman.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 21, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 South Center Street in Auburn.  Visitation will also be held on Tuesday one hour prior to the funeral at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 at the church.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church, 1349 South Randolph Street in Garrett.

Burial will take place at the Embry Cemetery in Garrett.

Memorials may be directed to the Zion Lutheran Church in Garrett.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fellerandclark.com. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Feller and Clark Funeral Home of Auburn.