So sad to hear of Dans' passing. This is the first I have heard so I am way late to say anything to Jolene. 
He was a dear friend, and room mate at SAC. The last time we saw each other was at an Envoys concert somewhere in the Detroit area, It was a Sunday morning at an FM church as I recall. 
My mind is flooded with positive memories of "Frog and Bulldog" playing basketball together and just sharing time.
God bless the family.
Val Cripps
trimvoy@aol.com

I’m sorry to hear of Mr. Freeman’s passing. I worked for him in the FHS athletic department my senior year of High School in 1994. He was a really good role model and mentor.  I know he will be missed. 

Paul Kruschka

Mr. Freeman was my 7th grade math teacher. I don't remember if everyone in the class had a nickname, but the group I sat with did. I remember him rolling dice to select which student would answer one of his questions and we each had a Row/Seat number. After rolling "Row 2, Seat 3" multiple times in a short period, that became Sam's nickname. Mine was "Lizardo" and then there was "Krissy Clipper."

Another memory is of the time when we were all working quietly at our desks and he exploded behind his ... pushing his chair back, shaking his hand, (not sure what he said) but it was all due to a paper cut! What a laugh. 

He had that gift of teaching and ability to draw students in. He was a blessing to us and I know will be missed by those who knew and loved him. 

In the early 1970's, I had the good fortune to have Mr. Freeman for an Algebra teacher.  He made a joke about his mustache saying "I never promised you a nose garden". I never forgot this or Mr. Freeman.  Thank you Mr. Freeman,  for teaching me that math can be fun!!

I believe Mr. Freeman was my eighth grade basketball coach at Dickinson junior high in the mid 70s. I recall him as a very kind man who truly inspired me and made me feel like I could accomplish anything. A great mind in my recollection.

Mr. Freeman was one of the best teachers I ever had. I was (and am) terrible at math, but I always looked forward to going to Mr. Freeman’s class. He had a way of making the subject matter interesting and easy to understand and making everyone in his classroom feel welcome and cared for. What a great man. May all of his family and friends cherish his memory. 

Dan Freeman was my algebra teacher and basketball coach nearly 50 years ago. He was an outstanding teacher and coach--smart, positive, engaging, funny, demanding, and firm. He expected a lot. He made a long-lasting, positive impression on me and so many others--the mark of a great teacher and coach. My condolences to his family.  

Jeff Hall


Mr. Freeman made a long-lasting impression on me. I have been telling stories about him for years.  During my turbulent years of junior high, Mr. Freeman was a breath of fresh air.  He made me laugh.  He made it ok to like math.  For 45 minutes, every day, I forgot about the negativity in life.  He convinced me to try something new (toboggan sledding) and I loved it!!!  He loved his students, and it showed. I’m an educator now, and I use humor to engage my students whenever possible.   He was an inspiration and a wonderful role model.  I thank God for his presence in my life during those years.  Thank you for sharing him with us.  May God bless his family and friends who are grieving his loss.  May the Lord welcome Mr. Freeman into his kingdom. 🙏🏻

He was my middle school algebra teacher. Great sense of humor. Very fond memories.

My favorite memory of Dan is him coming down the hall by the gym and his office singing “I’m too Sexy” He was hilarious. I never saw Dan lose his temper, he was kind, funny, honest, good hearted and caring. That didn’t mean that if he heard a story about you or witnessed whip cream on your nose, that he would ignore it. No way, it meant   that you were fair game for a practical joke. And he played a lot of them over the years. It was all in good fun and it built a community of caring for one another.
He was devoted to God, his family, and the Franklin community and he will be missed. God blessed us and now Dan will rest in Peace.
In loving gratitude for all you did to make this world a better place🫶🏼
Joyce Miltz

I am so sorry for his family’s great loss.

Mr Freeman was my 7th grade algebra teacher at Frost. He inspired a life-long love of math in me that led to my career as an actuary (it’s a good thing, really!!!) 

I will always remember his warmth and wit. And him calling on Kevin R. several times a period when Kevin’s broken arm was casted in a raised position. 

With great sympathy, Susan (Innes) Macaulay

Mr. Freeman was one of the best teachers I ever had at a formative time in my life. He was a positive influence for thousands of kids who had the good fortune of having him as a teacher or coach. My condolences to his family and friends.

Mr Freeman- the teacher everyone wanted to have… the teacher who inspired you to do math even if you thought you couldn’t … the teacher who inspired and touched all who came in contact with him. His legacy lives on. Thank you Mr Freeman for inspiring me! 

We were allowed to invite one each HS/MS/Elementary teachers who had biggest influence on us to 1989 PTA Founders Dinner and Mr Freeman was mine. Always enjoyed his class at Frost. RIP to both him and Ms Buda! 

Mr Freeman ...  A   great  teacher, mentor ,   basketball  coach,  and an advocate for  girls and womens sports . Thank you for your kindness,  knowledge, sense of humor , quick wit ,  and  sharing your coaching skills with a young girl in Junior High    . The  support At Dickinson Junior High and  Stevenson High  School ... on and off the court ( Math teacher at Dickinson Junior High ) 
Mr Freeman sharing his  coaching skills  with a young girl and getting a pass   to the gym  / with a stack of balls out ...  so I could  keep up  to speed with other schools having a girls teams at that  age  . ( Mercy) 
  Mr Freeman  had the knowledge ,  passion and love of  the game to see beyond the rim as a coach/ teacher . He came to Stevenson to see me play my first game on  the SHS  Varsity  team and was  the best mentor, teacher and coach to so many athletes and students in our district .   
I do recall a few teachers dressed up as cheerleaders to cheer on the DJH girls volleyball team with Mr freeman leading the cheers   🙂 ---   My sincere   condolences and sending love and prayers  to  his family and friends.     Sincerely , Diane Connaughton 

My deepest condolences to family, friends, and loved ones. Mr. Freeman was my 8th-grade algebra teacher at Frost in the late 80s.

I remember him fondly for his teaching abilities — and for being a warm, patient, and engaging person. 

My condolences to the family.  He was one of my favorite teachers.  He was my algebra teacher at Frost in 84-85.  I remember him as incredible kind, funny, and excellent at teaching the material as well.

Dan was many things to so many people over his lifetime but most importantly Dan was a good person.  He would light up a room wherever he went.  You could trust Dan but at the same time beware of his penchant for playing tricks or bringing humor to a situation. A dedication to his family, students, athletes and colleagues is carrying forward into the lives of so many people with whom he came in contact with.  Dan’s physical presence will be missed but his spirit and the many memories he created for us will be with us forever. 

Tom and Jan Tobe


Dan was truly a gentleman in every sense of the term.  I met Dan through our mutual friend, Mike Fenchel.   As a basketball official, I saw him in his professional role as a teacher and coach.  Dan’s personality was a perfect fit for an educator.    My condolences to all who were blessed to have shared time and life with Dan.  God’s Peace .                            

The words in TEACHER statement are exactly written to fit the description of our good friend DAN FREEMAN. I was lucky to know him as a fellow math teacher and coach at Churchill.  I'll always be grateful to Dan and Jolene for the times in my life when I lost my wife and my father. In the case of my wife Dan took responsibility for my coaching and won a game vs Stevenson. During the funeral he was by me every step of the way. When my Dad died I was giving the eulogy and got emotional. Dan stepped up out of the background and finished giving a beautiful statement. I will be forever grateful having known Dan, Jolene, Karen, and Todd.

Dan Freeman was one of the finest people I have ever known. His welcoming kindness and friendliness were always on display  and especially evident in his sense of humor, a gift he gave even while he endured his own discomfort. He was one of a kind, and we are fortunate to have known him. I will miss him and regret that I will never see him  again.  Joleen, my heart goes out to you for your loss but I hope this praise for Dan will lift your spirits, for the world around you knows how much of Dan’s glow was due to your support through thick and thin. My condolences to all your family.
Pete Pascaris


Mr. Freeman was my 8th grade math teacher at Frost Middle School in ‘88-‘89. He was the most loved teacher in the MACAT program. Always making us laugh while still teaching us all we needed to know. His smile was infectious and his positive attitude was contagious. Some of my best memories with him were from the yearly trip to Camp Tamarack. I know he will be greatly missed, but he will live on in all the lives he has touched. Much love to his family and friends. 

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Dan Freeman. I have so many fond memories of Dan at Franklin while I was a beginning teacher and coach. He just made work so much more enjoyable.

 I’ll never forget the day Dan was in my room talking with me and a student tripped through the doorway as he was running into my room. From that day on, every time Dan came into my room, he stumbled through my doorway and pretended to trip. He got me almost every time. I once told Dan that I hated to cook. He told me he felt sorry for my husband and never missed an opportunity to convince me that, “The Kitchen is your friend!” For years after he retired, I would find a phone note in my school mailbox on my birthday with the message, Happy Birthday from Dan Freeman.” I was fortunate to run into Dan at a wrestling match in spring of 2019 right before I retired. Almost 19 years later and he pretended to trip on his way over to speak to me. He never missed a beat.  

To Dan’s family, you were blessed with one of the best! Thank you for sharing him with all of us. He will be dearly missed.  

Mr. Freeman was my favorite teacher that I ever had. I had him at Dickinson too many years ago to count. He made all his students feel good about themselves. My heart goes out to his family , may he Rest In Peace . Mr. Freeman you put a special light on so many lives. This world lost a great human being.

So sad to hear of Mr. Freeman’s passing. He was the best math teacher I had! He was also the person who got my basketball career started. He was so excited to see this 5’10” 7th grader (who was supposed to go to Franklin) walk into his class. He encouraged me to start playing in the CYO league thinking I’d be one of his players some day. Little did we know at the time I’d move right before freshman year and go to Stevenson and be a rival instead! He was always so great and encouraging even when I was on the opposite team! 

“Uncle Dan” was a mentor of mine when I was a young teacher. Dan was a remarkably caring man. He shared his gift of laughter with everyone. Even years after retirement Dan was often seen at sporting events, and hung out with us in the press box.  As the fight song goes Dan is a “Patriot Always True.” May he rest eternally in Peace. 

When Dan and I first met as teachers, our friendship bonded immediately. Over the years it grew stronger and more enjoyable. If any mortal could approach perfection, it was Dan. His penchant for life, caring for others, dedication to faith and family were beyond reproach. He was best as a teacher, coach and administrator. If Teacher of theYear, could’ve been awarded to the same person yearly, Dan was that candidate. Dan once suggested we build a deck on my ranch home. Numerous days I enjoy the “Freeman Deck.” Dan will make Heaven a better place.  Truly miss you!


My thoughts and prayers are with the family! Mr. Freeman was one of my most favorite and memorable teachers…he was truly a gift! I was in his math class about 33 years ago! Godspeed SOHCAHTOA!

~Courtney Williams

Mr Freeman was the best teacher I have ever had, 40 years ago at Frost! I will never forget his nickname for me. On the first day of class, he asked what I wanted to be called, and I said “whatever”! He called me that all year. I will never forget our class trip to Kings Island, and when he planned to take a group of us to see the Billy Squier concert. He was kind, funny, supportive and cared so much about his students. My only regret is that I didn’t reconnect with him! He truly made an impact on my life!

So sorry to hear this, I only knew him as a teacher almost 40 years ago, but he was one of my favorites! I had him for geometry in 8th grade and still think of his stories when teaching pythagorean theorem! Pretty impactful after all these years! He was a teacher who made a difference. 

I am so sorry for your loss! I was fortunate to have Mr. Freeman as my 8th grade math teacher. He was wonderful! I also babysat for his family and although I lived only a block away, he would walk me home, making sure I arrived safely. 
My prayers are with your family.

Rachaell Meyers

Dan Freeman was one of the funniest people on earth. Between Mike Fenchel and Dan- you could hardly breathe for laughing so hard! I am so sorry Jolene, Todd and Karen-and your families. I have wonderful memories of Dan and will cherish them forever♥️

Dan was an excellent teacher, coach, and athletic director,  but more importantly, he was an excellent friend who never tired, even through years of sickness, of playing great practical jokes on all of his friends.  He was always fun to be around and never got upset when the joke was on him.  Playing golf together in our special foursome was always a good time. . . but he would never give me a putt.
For all of our 24 years in South Carolina, he never missed a birthday or anniversary with a phone call wishing us his best.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jolene and family at this difficult time.
Tom (and Sharon) Lang




We are so very sorry for the sad loss of Mr. Freemen. He was always a kind and gentle man to us and our children . Our hearts go out to you at this time and will be praying for your family. 
- Patrick and Heather Grone and family

Dan was always the first one to call me on my birthday, trying to beat my dad, his buddy Tom, to it. Even after I moved to Germany, he never forgot to be the first to call. He was a great friend to my dad and to my family. He's already missed. 

So sad to here of the passing of Dan Freeman. A really excellent teacher and Athletic Director.  Also Dan and his entire family welcomed us when we moved to the Livonia Franklin area.   He will be missed by all who knew him. From the Matt Mulcahy Family. 

May the special memories you hold in your hearts bring you peace during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with Jolene, Karen, Todd and families. Love Linda J. 

 I am so sorry to hear of Dan's passing.  
As a former colleague at both Forst and Dickinson, I remember Dan as a fine teacher and someone fun to be with.  I know 
Dan and some rough medical issues but he always had a sense of humor.  He will be missed by all who knew him.  My deepest  condolences to Jolyne and his family.  Robert Ripp

OBITUARY

Daniel Lee Freeman

December 11, 1946 – September 26, 2022

Harry J Will Funeral Homes

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