Virgil Freel
On Friday afternoon, June 21, 2024, while visiting with family, the Lord peacefully called Virgil Freel home after 93 years. The son of Alger and Florence (Kimball) Freel, Virgil was born on the family farm in Case Township May 25, 1931. He married Judy Heron November 25, 1955, at the Millersburg United Methodist Church.
Virgil was a retired farmer, having 35 years with production of foundation certified seed of dark red kidney beans and oats. He also grew corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa hay. In his early years, he worked in the lumber business, built and sold cable television systems in Tawas City, Oscoda, and Wurtsmith Air Force Base, including American Microwave Communications, built cabins and sold real estate and raised beef cattle.
Civic-minded and with great concern for the environment and farming, Virgil served on numerous governmental boards and committees at both the local and state levels. His service on the Onaway Area School board, as the Case Township supervisor, and in his later years, for the Millersburg Historical Society were the most meaningful to him. Virgil was a longtime member of Ocqueoc Baptist Church where he served on the church board for 66 years. His favorite lifetime Bible verse was Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also the Greek.” His children believe he was determined throughout his life to show the strength and power of God to the coming generation. Though he did not do it perfectly, it was his desire to try. The day before Virgil went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he said to one of his grandsons, “What do I have to be sorry for? My kids and grandkids are around me and love the Lord.”
He is survived by his wife Judy of 68 years; a daughter, Kathy (Mark) Ellenberger of Millersburg; a son, Colin (Esther) Freel of Millersburg; and a daughter, Carrie (Rick) Boda of Virginia; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren (with three on the way); as well as numerous nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-law, Ann Freel Cope, Nancy Gould and Connie Albrecht.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alger and Florence; sisters, Geneva Fleming, Loretta Freel and Joyce Sabel; brothers, Maurice, Neil, Bruce and Jay Freel; a daughter, Eileen Freel; and beloved nephew, Alger Fleming.
Visitation will be held at Ocqueoc Baptist Church Friday, June 28, from 4 until 8 p.m., with visitation at 10 a.m. and a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29. Virgil’s nephew, the Rev. Eric Freel, will officiate. Virgil’s final resting place will be at Riverside Cemetery in Millersburg. In lieu of flowers for an expression of sympathy, please consider a donation in memory of Virgil to Ocqueoc Baptist Church for mission work or Gideons International for the purchase of Bibles.
