- Date Of Birth: November 4, 1920
- Date Of Death: March 27, 2020
- State: Indiana
Helen Freeman, age 99, died March 27, 2020. She was born November 4, 1920, to Alice (Thornton) and Frank Johnston in Monroe County, Indiana.
She graduated from Elletsville High School. There, she met Forrest Freeman, the love of her life. They dated for 5 years, married, where he then served as a gunner on a B17 during WWII before being shot down. His death was never confirmed and he was later classified as KIA. She never remarried.
Her energy was boundless. He altruism unparalleled.
For the next 42 years she served as a General Clerk at the Bloomington Post Office, retiring in 1987. She spent 32 years as a volunteer at Bloomington Hospital, donating more than 3600 hours. She delivered Meals On Wheels covering 8 routes for more than 25 years serving 48,000 meals to more than 2000 clients, though she was older than most she served.
In 1994 she established the Helen Freeman Education Award through the Bloomington Hospital Foundation, granting scholarships that are still given yearly. In 2000 she received the Golden Deed Award for volunteerism from the Bloomington Exchange Club. Mark Kruzan, mayor of Bloomington, declared February 14, 2008 Helen Freeman Day because of her immeasurable contributions to her community.
A wonderful baker she may be most renowned for the numerous cookies and candies that she would make for friends and relatives. This included the Annual Post Office Christmas Party, Hospital Staff Volunteers and almost
anyone else who crossed paths with her. Her sister (Frances Jane Skirvin) had three children, Steve Skirvin, Susan
Marsala, and Sara Provenzale which she considered her own. Her numerous grand nieces and nephews always felt surrounded by her unconditional love.
This community icon will be greatly missed by those having had the pleasure of knowing her.
