Freel, John William

Ceyri Jo

25w ago

Sending my Deepest Sympathies to his loving wife Anne and his 3 children. I knew John in 1982. We met at the church he was youth pastor Inger at the time. Many fine memories of a man of God.One of the sweetest souls ever!

JW

Johnny Wilson

36w ago

In 1975 as a college freshman I met ‘Jumpin’ John Freel. He got the nickname ‘Jumpin’ by his method of taking a running dive to the top bunk in our dorm. My sides were sore that first year from laughing so much—especially when once he jumped clear across the top. That was “Jumpin’s” fault because he managed to find the humor in everything. That year in school was to be our only year together as we served in “The Preacher Boy Chorale” {the name given us by Dr. Sumner Wemp), but the friendship lasted to present. I chuckle as I recall John packing at the last possible minute—me running behind picking up dropped items and finally placing his toothbrush back into his front shirt pocket. Ecclesiastes 10: 7, reads, “I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” John was a prince among men but rarely was recognized as such. He would have resisted the attention anyway. It was my honor to call John my friend. We could pick up the phone and be laughing as though no time had passed. Very soon we will be laughing together in heaven. My prayers are with Anne and all the family at this difficult time. May our Lord comfort you as you reflect on the tremendous life you witnessed up close and personal. Thank you for sharing John with us.

Johnny Wilson

HG

Harry Gross

36w ago

I just arrived in Tulsa from Michigan. I will be attending the Memorial Service for John. I look forward to meeting John’s family and friends. I am attaching a photo that one of our classmates shared on Facebook where we posted our memories of John from our early years in Rogers City. God bless

NA

Nancy Allen

36w ago

I have waited this long to post because words are just so inadequate to express the impact that John has had on our lives. We met John at a difficult time for our family, and he was just the right person at the right time, especially for Katie. His kind compassion, inspired sermons, and gracious acceptance of our presence - no matter how frazzled we were - was a beacon of hope that helped us through that time.Beyond that, his friendship and sense of humor was a source of joy for us all. Some of our favorite memories are the sunrise services down by the river, the Christmas that he guided Katie in her video work, and his laugh. Everbody should be able to boom out a laugh like that! It reminds me of when the Ghost of Christmas Past bellows to Scrooge, “Know me better, man!” Larger than life and filled with the joyful love of God.
Anne, Nate, Emily, and Zach, we miss and love you all and are praying for comfort and peace in your loss.
All our love,
Nancy, Bob, and Katie Allen

JW

Johnny Wilson

36w ago

In 1975 as a college freshman I met ‘Jumpin’ John Freel. He got the nickname ‘Jumpin’ by his method of taking a running dive to the top bunk in our dorm. My sides were sore that first year from laughing so much—especially when once he jumped clear across the top. That was “Jumpin’s” fault because he managed to find the humor in everything. That year in school was to be our only year together as we served in “The Preacher Boy Chorale” {the name given us by Dr. Sumner Wemp), but the friendship lasted to present. I chuckle as I recall John packing at the last possible minute—me running behind picking up dropped items and finally placing his toothbrush back into his front shirt pocket. Ecclesiastes 10: 7, reads, “I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” John was a prince among men but rarely was recognized as such. He would have resisted the attention anyway. It was my honor to call John my friend. We could pick up the phone and be laughing as though no time had passed. Very soon we will be laughing together in heaven. My prayers are with Anne and all the family at this difficult time. May our Lord comfort you as you reflect on the tremendous life you witnessed up close and personal. Thank you for sharing John with us.

Johnny Wilson

Jeanette Hopper

36w ago

I remember him as a young adult and he was the youth pastor at our church in Brampton, Ontario. He impacted us all. When I got married, he was our counselor and also participated in our ceremony. There is so many memories.

HG

Harry Gross

37w ago

We attended elementary and middle school in the small town of Rogers City, Michigan. We were also college roommates for one semester at a community college in northern Michigan. During our elementary school days, snow plows would make eight foot "snow mountains" in the school play ground, John was going to be "king of the hill" or daring you to jump off a ledge somewhere during lunch recess. Even in those early days you could see John was going to be a leader never fearing to take a chance. His obituary picked up from when I last saw John in the mid '70s and is an amazing tribute to a man of God and a true leader. John was a great friend and an extraordinary person to have known. To John's family and friends please accept my heart felt condolences and deepest sympathies.

SP

Steve Porter

38w ago

I went to High School with John, a small school in Northern Michigan. We had classes together, played sports and were in the band together, a great classmate and team mate to have. We reconnected at our 50th class reunion and had a great time. This past summer he was in Michigan to help his mother and I was able to talk to him at Church. The day before he flew back home we met at a local restaurant and had breakfast. We talked and laughed for about an hour. He so enjoyed the class reunion and couldn't wait for the next one. I was stunned when his mother called and gave me the news. Our next reunion will be in Heaven. My condolences to his wife and family.

LK

Lori Keen

39w ago

Bro John helped me during a very hard time of losing my husband . He had just become a pastor at our church . I’ll always be grateful for his love and care of our family .

KS

Kim & Dean Schwieso

39w ago

John was one of the kindest people Dean and I have ever known. He followed hard after God and lived out his calling with grace, anointing and truly a servant's heart. Well done, John. I pray that your family will feel the arms of God holding them tight as they navigate this journey without you here on earth. Until we see you again...

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