Donald E. Freeman (Sgt. - USMC)

Donald Eugene Freeman, of St. Elmo, Illinois passed away on December 18, 2011 at 90 years old. Donald was born on May 9, 1921. He enlisted in the military and served in WWII for two terms in the First Marine Division. He fought at Okinawa and Guadacanal and received the Presidential Unit Citation. After the war, he worked his way up to Police Chief on the VA Hospital Naval Base in Illinois. After retirement, he moved to Tempe, AZ, with his wife Pauline. He took on a part-time job as a school bus driver for a few years, and was there to pick up his three` grandchildren, who lived in Tempe, whenever they needed him. They stayed in the “Freeman Hospital” when they were sick and were treated to ice cream, McDonalds, and the remote control. He took loving care of his wife, Pauline, all through her battles with cancer. Pauline passed in 1995. Donald also loved to tend to roses and cook big family meals. He had a positive attitude and was a fighter. Even after a stroke paralyzed his right arm and leg at age 79, he still lived by himself in his apartment for 10 more years with minimal help. “It has been my pleasure to help my grandfather through his last couple years as he helped me throughout my life.” - granddaughter Jill Burkis. Donald is survived by daughters Nancy Lipinski, Donna Garcia, Judy Plummer, and Brenda Banks; sister Ruby Higgins; grandchildren Jill, David, Deena, Beth and Richie; great-grandchildren Jesse, Josh, Lauren, Danielle and Tyler. At his request, there will be a graveside service at 1:30pm, Thursday, December 29, 2011 at East Resthaven Park Cemetary, 4310 E. Southern Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85042. Donald will be placed beside his wife of 48 years, Pauline. We would like to invite any caregivers who would like to come. Thank you for taking such good care of Donald in his last nine months of life.