Charles Jay (Butch) Freeman, age 78, of Springfield was quietly carried into the arms of Jesus on Monday, April 29 in his home with his wife and daughters by his side.  Butch, the adopted son of James and Verda Freeman, was born on October 12, 1940 in Perry, Iowa to Edgar and Nora Russell.  Nora died shortly after Butch was born. Since Nora and Verda were sisters and Butch was the youngest of eight children, the Freemans adopted him as an infant.  He was blessed to maintain contact with his biological siblings.  He was pleased to be able to get to know and spend time with eight of his many Russell nieces and nephews. . . Betty Wilson Martin, Renee Wilson Hazelhurst, John Wilson, Marcy Carter Miles, Teresa Russell, Amy Russell Sauchuk, Jobie Russell, and Jay Russell who was named after Butch.

Butch attended a one-room school in Brookline, MO from grades 1-6, then his family moved to Bell, California where he graduated with the Class of 1958.  In 1959, the Freeman family returned to their beloved Ozarks and made their home in Chesapeake and Republic.

On January 5, 1963, Butch was united in marriage to Donna Raper Freeman in the First Christian Church in Republic.  He was the devoted Dad of two daughters, Shelley Wears and Sarah Odom and the proud Papa of three grandchildren, Charles Jay (CJ) Wears, Sophia Odom, and Lauren Odom.

Following high school, Butch worked for Sedgwick Furniture Company.  He was then employed for many years by the Springfield News-Leader and Consumer's Markets.  With the closing of Consumer's, he worked as a commercial driver, ending his career driving for Fisk Transportation.

Butch was a longtime member of South Baptist Church where he was an ordained deacon and served for more than 25 years in pre-school Sunday school.  He enjoyed driving the church bus to events for all age groups from pre-schoolers through senior adults.  He also thoroughly enjoyed driving a bus for the Baptist Home Outbackers.  He served on many church committees and enjoyed traveling out-of-state on men's building trip missions.  Currently, he was a member of the Wedgeworth-Wilkens Sunday school class.

Butch was a Past Master of Republic Masonic Lodge #570 and a 50-year member of Republic Chapter #370, Order of the Eastern Star.  He served the youth of his community on the Republic Rainbow Girls advisory board for more than 50 years and was a member of the Missouri Rainbow Executive Committee for 20 years.  He was awarded the distinguished Grand Cross of Color for his service to Rainbow.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, infant twin daughters Stephanie and Susanna, a brother-in-law Charlie Raper, and his Russell siblings.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Donna; daughters Shelley (Willy) Wears and Sarah (Al) Odom; grandchildren CJ Wears, Sophia Odom, and Lauren Odom; and a very special aunt, Maryan Raper Smith.  Other survivors include sister-in-law, Susan Raper and her son Charles Kennedy; nephew Brad (Stacy) Raper and niece Missy Raper; step-brother-in-law Brad (Carmen) Stokes and their daughter, Andrea.  He also leaves behind special friends, Jeff Inmon, Teresa Talent, Carroll and Lou Compton, Paula Howell, Sheral Kay Steere, Harold and Janet Thompson; numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and a host of friends.

Butch enjoyed collecting die-cast cars, doing crossword puzzles, traveling, and watching his daughters' and grandchildren's games and performances.  He was a quiet, kind-hearted gentleman who loved people generously, and he was a true servant who never required accolades for the many things he did for others.

The family would like to thank Kayla Pearson, Tricia Keltner, and the staff of Hospice Compassus for the care and compassion that was shown to allow Butch to remain in his home during his final journey.  A special thanks to nurse Michelle Minner who tenderly ministered to Butch and his "girls" in the final hours before his homegoing.

Visitation for Butch will be Friday, May 3, 2019 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home Chapel, 1947 E. Seminole in Springfield.  An Eastern Star memorial service will be presented prior to the visitation at 5:30 p.m. in the funeral home.  Celebration of Life services will be Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in South Haven Baptist Church, 2353 S. Campbell in Springfield.  Burial will follow in Brookline Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to South Haven Baptist Church.  The online obituary may be viewed, and personal condolences may be left at www.gormanscharpf.com .

Butch's family is honored to have been able to love and care for him in his home.
"There will come a time when a beloved one will be gone, and you will find comfort in the fact that you were the caregiver."