Jeffrey Eugene “Jeff” Freeman (1955-2023)

Jeffrey Eugene “Jeff” Freeman, 68, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023, at his home in Kanopolis, Kan. He was born May 17, 1955, in Great Lakes, Ill., to James and Delores (Wright) Freeman. He married JoEllen Salyers in Ellsworth, Kan., on Dec. 3, 1977.

After completing auto-body repair school, Jeff opened Freeman’s Body Shop at its original location on Old Highway 40. A few years later, he built a new building along Highway 156 that still houses Freeman’s Body Shop, currently owned by his two kids.

Jeff was a mentor to many kids throughout Ellsworth County, where he was actively involved with Ellsworth County Kids Wrestling for over 35 years, a CYO sponsor and had several on the job training (OJT) students at his body shop throughout the years.

Jeff is survived by his daughter Jenny Freeman of Kanopolis; son Clint Freeman (Sarah) of Kanopolis; grandsons Korbin and Khamin Freeman; brother Les Shively of Kanopolis; and sister Fonda Rush (Jerry) of Geneseo. He was preceded in death by his wife JoEllen Freeman; mother Delores Shively; and step-father Dale Shively.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, July 28, 2023, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, with inurnment following at the Kanopolis Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. The service will be livestreamed at parsonsfh.com under Jeff’s obituary page.

Memorial contributions can be made to Ellsworth County Kids Wrestling c/o Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439. Condolences can be left at parsonsfh.com.