Melva Joyce Freeman

Born Melva Joyce Burns on July 27, 1933, to Melvin B. Burns and Alice Shindler Burns in Michigan City, Indiana. She grew up in Michigan City, graduated from Isaac C. Elston high school, attending Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana and receiving an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from Southwestern Michigan University.

May 15, 1954, she and James D. Freeman, South Bend, Indiana, were married in the First Methodist Church, Michigan City, Indiana. They had four children, James Jr. (Roma), Edwardsburg, MI., Jeffrey (Angela), Roswell, Georgia, Gregory (Robin), Marietta, Georgia, Susan (John) Pulliam, Seneca, South Carolina. She is survived by one sister, Susan Burns, Fishers, Indiana. Melva is preceded in death by her husband, James D. Freeman, brother Ronald Burns and daughter-in-law Timarie Ellis Freeman.

Nine Grandchildren and two great grandchildren survive. Tierney (Thomas) Uhl, Alice Uhl, Lincoln Uhl, John (Ellen) Pulliam, Jr., Elizabeth Pulliam, Emily Freeman, Lindsay Freeman, Robert Freeman, Anna Freeman and Trey Freeman.

Melva (Mel) was a member and past president of the Junior League of South Bend, a member of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, The Women’s Literary Club, The Antiquarian Society, Four Lakes Country Club, Morris Park Country Club, Estero Country Club, Estero United Methodist Church serving on the “Between Two Worlds” committee.

Mel loved to play duplicate bridge, Mah Jongg, or any kind of board game with her grandchildren and friends. She enjoyed reading, cooking, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, golf, tennis and time spent with family and friends. She also enjoyed watching college football, college basketball and golf on TV.

A celebration of her well lived life will be held on a future date. In lieu of flowers a donation in Melva's memory can be made to the CASIE Center, 533 N. Niles Ave., South Bend, Indiana 46617.