Carrol Ben Freitag

He was born April 26th, 1937 in Fairbury, Nebraska to Ida (Rolff) and Carl Freitag. His family left Nebraska, selling their farm in 1941, after locusts cleared their crops two years in a row. They headed to Bartonville to join family living in Peoria and knew Keystone was hiring. Carl ended up working at Keystone Steel and Wire in the steel mill and Ida made pastries in their cafeteria.

Carrol would follow his father and work at Keystone as a steel worker for 39 years before retirement, as well as his brother Leon in Water treatment.

He married Bonita ”Bonnie” A. Ball on May 24th, 1959 in Bartonville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Leon (Cathy) Freitag (Mapleton) and sister Virlene (Dean) Beck (Livonia, MI).

He lost his wife Bonnie and son Tim within months of each other in 2009. In the midst of this, he took exemplary care of both of them in his home in Mapleton through their illnesses. An unbelievable feat. He was a very quiet, strong individual and his enduring love and faithfulness to his family was remarkable.

He is survived by his son Todd (Carole) Freitag of Aurora; daughter-in-law, Denise (DeLorme) Freitag of Morton; 4 grandchildren, Christian and Natalie Freitag of Aurora; Brendan (Alicia) Freitag of Springfield and Devin (Kelsey) Freitag of Springfield; and 4 great grandchildren, Wesley, August, Hayden and Maverick, all of Springfield; sister-in-law, Cathy (Leon) Freitag of Mapleton; brother-in-law, Norman (Judith) Ball of Belvidere.

Carrol was a devoted husband to his wife Bonnie and they shared just short of 50 years of marriage. He teasingly would say that he originally chose her to date because he lived at the top of Garfield hill and she lived closer to the bottom so he could roll his car down the hill without starting it to pick her up and save gas.

They were inseparable and they created a home that was full of love, strength and fun. They sacrificed much in order to raise their sons and support them through all aspects of life, never expecting any thanks, only respect. Their goals always revolved around their sons and to provide them with opportunity. Brick by Brick with an incredible work ethic.

Carrol’s sons were taught the ways of the world by him and how to be respectful and genuine: teaching them how to be the best men they could be in self and character.

Carrol was a man that adored his family, and they adored him. His loving support was unending and prevalent in all their lives.

He was so admired by his family for his quiet and loving temperament. Even his grandchildren were so enamored with his love that, when little, would often fight to sit next to him at the dinner table or put their shoes next to his. He was always so patient with all of them: regularly playing games, which earned him the name “Tinker Buddy.” Their affection never ended.

His excitement for each addition to the family was so enormous, including his joy for each great grandchild.

He was a faithful part of Bethel Lutheran Church in Bartonville, IL for 64 years. He served as an usher, was part of the property committee, Brotherhood Men’s Group and a trusted Offering Attendant/Counter. He had a vigorous faith in God and supporting his church was of utmost importance in his life. He passed these traits on to his family by example.

Carrol met Susan Gregory after his wife’s passing. She has been a blessing to all of his family and a loving companion to him for 14 years. They were active at Bethel Lutheran Church and enjoyed many joyful experiences, including spending their winter months in Punta Gorda, FL. He would often be seen sitting in the marina having coffee while quietly watching the baby manatee. Nobody knew who was more interested in who, but it’s fair to say both were happy!

Carrol was a wonderful, understated man of great personal depth. He kept the faith and finished his race. Until we meet again.

A visitation will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bartonville from 9:00 am to 11:00 am Friday, July 21, 2023 with service and funeral following. Reverend Kara Wiechmann will be presiding. The burial will follow the service at Parkview Cemetery in Peoria. A luncheon will be served at Bethel after the burial at Parkview.

Memorials can be made to Bethel Lutheran Church of Bartonville, IL.

Online condolences may be shared with Carrol's family at www.Davison-Fulton-BartonvilleChapel.com.