Ronald L. Freeman, 82, of 2161 Baker Road, passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 in the Hornell Gardens Nursing Home, after a brief illness. He was born in Wellsville on January 7, 1939 the son of the late Louis O. and Velma (Davis) Freeman. On August 23, 1958 in Andover he married the former June Burch, who survives.
Ron was a 1957 graduate of Wellsville High School. While in school he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve, with which he would serve from 1956 – 1964. He began his farming career on his grandfather’s dairy farm on Fords Brook Road (North Branch) in Wellsville. In 1966 he bought his farm on Baker Road in the Town of Ward which he operated until 1982. While farming, he was also employed in several capacities, including: ACES at Alfred State College, The Feed Mill in Belmont, the Oil Leases for Otis-Eastern Corp., a driver for Allegany ARC, and as a bus driver for Wellsville Central Schools (where he was especially loved by the Wellsville Marching Lions) retiring in 2002. In 1982, he and his son Terrance, purchased their own oil leases on Noble Road in Belmont, and Davis Hill Road in Scio.
Beyond his careers, he was involved with several organizations and events including: the FFA, which he first joined during High School; the leader of 4H, starting in 1966 until his death; Former vice president and long time member of the Allegany County Fair Board; member of the Wellsville Moose Lodge #601; member of the Chautauqua Moose-Legion #73; member of the Morrison Hayes American Legion Post #702; the first in New York State to offer a Snowmobile Safety Course (est. 1971); coaching for the Alfred-Almond Little League; a member of the First Trinity Lutheran Church of Wellsville; former president and founding member of the Jericho Hill Snowmobile Club; and life-long member of the Grange. His life was highlighted by his zeal and dedication to volunteering.
In addition to his wife of sixty-three years, June, he is survived by: two sons, Ricky (Angela) Freeman of Wellsville, and Terrence (Anna Mae) Freeman of Alma; three daughters, Yvonne (Gary) Davis of Friendship, Zelda (Larry) Watson of Andover, and Yvette Freeman of Andover; thirteen grandchildren; thirty-one great-grandchildren; a niece, and several cousins. He was predeceased by: his parents; three sisters, Shirley Hamilton, Cleo Ruby Anderson, and Bonita Freeman; a brother, Douglas Freeman; and a daughter-in-law, Twila Freeman.
Friends are invited to call on Friday, December 10, 2021 from 7-9 PM and Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 2 -4 PM at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville (34 West State Street). A memorial service will follow on Saturday at 4 PM in the funeral home with Deacon Frank Pasquale presiding. Please consider memorial donations to the Almond Grange, 799 Sibleys Road, Alfred Station, NY, 14803. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com
