Elbert (Tot) J. Freeman, 96, died at 3:37 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2025 at his son’s home in Godfrey. Born May 29, 1928 in Grafton, IL, he was the son of Robert Emmett and Magdalena Cecilia (Keslick) Freeman.
Mr. Freeman was a member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Alton. He started his career at Olin Winchester and retired from Owens Brockway where he was a machinist and Inspector for 40 plus years and in the Machinist Union for over 50 years. He was in-charge of and ran the United Way Campaign at Owens Brockway.
He married the love of his life, Nora Ann Goodrich on October 17, 1953, at St Patrick’s Church in Grafton. She preceded him in death on June 1, 2002. He later Married Dottie Parson in 2005. She preceded him in death on February 18, 2017.
Surviving is a daughter, Ann Marie Freeman Duncan (Spencer), three sons, John Freeman, David Freeman, and Daniel Freeman (Sandy), 10 grandchildren, Ryan, Ashley, Christian, Nicholas, Olivia, Chloie, Carsen, Braden, Lily and Seth, five great grandchildren, Dylan, Ashlynn, Layla, Chelsea and Julian and one great-great grandchild, Gracelyn.
He was an incredible athlete and avid sports fan. His love for sports started as a child, he helped build the first baseball diamonds in Grafton and later in his 20’s tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals, making it to the final 5 out of more than 250 that tried out. He enjoyed helping others and teaching them how to play different sports. He was a baseball coach for many years for Godfrey Khoury League, as well as a basketball referee where he was chosen to ref the Harlem Globetrotters game when they came to Jerseyville.
He loved to water ski, going over the ski jump in the river and throughout his life taught many others to water ski, which he did himself until he was 72. One of his favorite places to visit was Lake of the Ozarks where he enjoyed riding his wave runner and going on many boat rides. His fondest memory he loved to talk about was his undefeated basketball team in Grafton.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Scenic Hill Cemetery in Grafton. Memorials may be made to the Godfrey Parks and Recreation Department. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.
