David M. Freyling's Obituary
Decatur – David Martin Freyling, 79, of Decatur, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 7, 2018, at home with his wife, Jeannine and his dog, Sir Thomas by his side.
David was born December 1, 1938, in Aurora, IL, the son of Russell and Naomi (French) Freyling. He married Jeannine (Maxwell) Downey on October 27, 1985 in Decatur, IL. Freyling, a 10-year veteran of the US Army 82nd Airborne, was stationed in Berlin when the wall between East and West Germany was being constructed, also served in Korea, where he helped build bridges, roads and infrastructure. Freyling had been chairman of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Macon County since 2005 and was among those who pushed for the creation of Decatur’s World War II Memorial, which was erected in front of the Decatur Civic Center in 2012 after years of effort. He was a tireless volunteer for Veteran causes, including 4,375 hours driving more than 70,000 miles making round trips to shuttle veterans from the Decatur area to the VA Hospital in Danville, IL.
David was a member of First United Methodist Church of Decatur, IL, where he served as a head usher, Decatur Civic Center board, president of Korean War Veteran Association and American Legion Post 72 in Macon, IL. David was an avid and faithful Cub fan, (to say the least), who was privileged to see them win the 2016 World Series as well as an exciting come-back victory only hours before his death.
David is survived by his wife, Jeannine Freyling; brother, Dennis (Carol) Freyling of St. Louis, MO; step-children, Lynne (Joel) Winick of Decatur; Susan (Tim DeVaan) Downey of Indianapolis, IN; Michael (Rosetta) Downey of El Sobrante, CA; step-grandchildren: Sarah (Joey) Stroud, Ben (Beth) Winick, Kailey DeVaan, Gabriella Downey, Rebecca Downey, and Michael B. Downey; step-great-grandchildren: Ethan, Sydney, Adelaide and Atticus Winick; and two children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren by a previous marriage.
David was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dianna; one son and one step-great-grandson.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 12, 2018, from 5 to 8 pm at the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be 10 am, Friday, July 13, 2018, at First United Methodist Church. Burial with military rites will be at 1 pm, Friday, July 13, 2018, at Camp Butler National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: First United Methodist Church or any veterans organization of donor’s choice.
The family of David Martin Freyling is being served by the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe St., Decatur, IL 62526. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.moranandgoebel.com.
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