Military hero loved country, family

Even after retirement, the Air Force permeated all aspects of Brig. Gen. Patrick Freeman's life.

"The military was a major part of who he was," said Freeman's son-in-law, Patrick McGee of Woodstock.

"He stuck with a routine. He presented himself with class. He always had this sort of military way about him."

Freeman, formerly of Gilberts, died Saturday. He was 84.

A member of the Army Air Corps, Freeman served in World War II as a B-24 pilot in the Pacific. Completing more than 60 combat missions, Freeman's plane was once shot down in New Guinea. "He survived two full weeks in the jungle before being rescued," McGee said.

Freeman returned to flying duty and also participated in the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War and Cuban missile crisis. A member of both the 440th and 928th tactical airlift groups, his final duty was with the 126th Air Refueling Group at O'Hare International Airport.

Freeman and his wife, Betty, raised three children on their Gilberts farm before moving to Eagle River, Wis., in 1982.

"His relationship with his kids was extremely tight-knit," McGee said. "They ran that farm together, as a family."

Retiring after 33 years of military service, Freeman kept in close contact with a number of Air Force buddies, McGee said. "He talked about the friends he met (in the service) and his experiences all the time. He was very, very proud."

Other survivors include a daughter, Mary McGee of Woodstock; two sons, Joseph Freeman of Fishers, Ind., and USAF retired Lt. Col. Patrick T. Freeman of South Range, Wis.; a sister, Beth Bacino of Elgin; and 12 grandchildren.

For more information, call (847) 669-5111.

Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Friday at the James A. O'Connor Funeral Home, 11603 E. Main St., Huntley. A prayer service will follow at 11 a.m.

Burial with full military honors will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Gilberts.