Malcolm E. Freels

Malcolm Eugene Freels, 86, of Martinsburg, died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, at his home in Mexico.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Pickering Funeral Home with the Rev. Carol Blackwell officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 until 7 p.m. Burial will be in Vandalia Cemetery.

Mr. Freels was born in Pike County on July 24, 1921, a son of George Harvey and Maggie Bessie (Brown) Freels. On Aug. 6, 1942, in Hannibal he married Lena Harrelson who died Nov. 3, 1984. He also had a companion of several years, Leona Hubert who died in January of 2000.

Malcolm was a veteran of the US Army. He worked at National Refractories as a brick skidder for over 40 years, retiring in 1985. He also farmed south of Benton City from 1950 until 2000 when he bought a house in Mexico to live in town.

Survivors include three sons, Eugene Freels and wife Lois, Auxvasse, Bob Freels and wife Marlene, Auxvasse, and Lynn Freels, Quincy; four daughters, Mary Katherine Shepherd, Auxvasse, Elizabeth Kersey and husband Bill, Auxvasse, Barbara Borcherding and husband Ronnie, Martinsburg, and Rosemary Freels, Martinsburg; 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and long time companion he was preceded in death by one son, Jimmy Lee Freels, one grandson, Robert Turner, two brothers, George Jr. and Billy Wayne Freels, and one sister Algen Beedle.

Expressions of sympathy may be given at www.pickeringfh.com.