Freeman Collier

VILLA RIDGE, Ill. — Freeman Collier, 76, a resident of Villa Ridge, Ill., died Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the family home north of Charleston, Mo.

Born July 9, 1942, in Cape Girardeau, he was the son of the late Freeman and Esther Mitchell Collier Sr. A graduate of Patton High School, he served six years in the Missouri National Guard and was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of the Unity Baptist Church in Benton where he had served as a deacon for several years.

His greatest love was his family. He maintained close relationships with his siblings and his positive attitude inspired many people during his life. Freeman was a Godly man. He and Bonnie, his wife of 48 years, raised their children in a loving Christian home. His words were wise and in times of need, others turned to him for comfort and support. One of his greatest joys was preparing and enjoying a meal with people. Freeman was a giver, and it probably was his most notable quality. He was a master craftsman, having made hundreds of handcrafted wooded furniture pieces and giving them away, receiving his pleasure from giving to others. He was a generous and honorable man.

His hobbies in addition to spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren included hunting, fishing and wood working projects.

Surviving are his wife, Bonnie Crosier Collier of the home; two children, Danita Collier Keen of Charleston and David (Dawn) Collier of Benton; four sisters, Barbara Kehoe, Carrie Trentham and Helen (Doyle) Holland all of St. Louis and Charlotte Schnider of Fredericktown; four grandchildren, Kyle (Brooke) Chipman of Dexter, Drew Keen of Charleston, Kama Collier and Layne Collier of Benton; and great-grandchildren, Jo Chipman, Rae Chipman and Baby Girl Keen arriving in July 2019.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles Collier, Glen Collier, Ralph Collier; and two sisters, Naomi Simmons and Alice Lincoln.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at the McMikle Funeral Home from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. Michael Collier, his nephew from Conway, Ark., will officiate.

Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be: Kyle Chipman Drew Keen, Kama Collier, Layne Collier, Lonnie Cobb, Shannon Collier, Titus Weaver and Jon Hostetter.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

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The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center, 601 West Marshall St., Charleston, MO 63834.

Paid obituary