Freel, Walter Ray - 1925-2011

BAKER, DEER, FREEL, KNOOP, MARKS, MCCLURE, MERKLE, WADE

Posted By: Polk volunteer
Date: 9/13/2024 at 13:08:30

Walter Ray Freel, 86, passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at Bright Kavanagh House. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, December 9, 2011 at Iles Funeral Homes - Grandview Park Chapel. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Friday, one hour prior to the service, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Lowman Cemetery near Runnells, IA.
Ray was born the son of Harry and Goldia Freel on July 5, 1925 in Swan, Iowa and grew up in Runnells. Ray worked on the family farm and faithfully served in the US Army Military Police during World War II. On October 8, 1949 he was united in marriage to Wilma Baker and they moved to Des Moines. Ray worked as a propane service man, retiring from Ferrellgas in 1990. Ray loved his two granddaughters and enjoyed gardening, working in his yard, hunting, fishing, watching auto racing and playing softball. He was a longtime member of Unity Lutheran Church.
Ray is survived by his wife of 62 years, Wilma; daughter, Cindy Freel; son, Mike (Julia) Freel; granddaughters, Kathryn (Travis) Knoop and Nicole (Robbie) Merkle; siblings: Ruth Marks, Elsie Wade, Bill (Sandy) Freel, Earl (Marilyn) Freel, Mary Ann Freel, Martha (Caryl) McClure and David Freel; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Rex, Jack, Jim, Larry and Bob Freel and a sister, Betty Louise Deer.
Memorials may be directed to Unity Lutheran Church or Bright Kavanagh House.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Wednesday, December 7, 2011, page 4B