Esther Freed
March 19th, 1923 - May 4th, 2025
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Esther's Obituary
Esther Freed, 102, of Coloma passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Caretel Inns of St. Joseph, Michigan.
She was born on March 19, 1923, in Tai Yao Cheng, Shansi Province, China where her parents Robert B. and Alice Sonnenberg and Grandmother Mae Hale Iry were missionaries.
The family returned to Michigan in August 1926 and eventually settled to farming in Watervliet with Robert’s father Andrew Sonnenberg. One of Esther’s many farm stories were of her milking the dairy cows
and walking to Cribbs School.
After graduating from Watervliet High School in 1941, she met and married Howard Freed of LaGrange, Indiana and settled in Coloma, Michigan. Howard enlisted and served in the Navy from 1943-1946. During WWII they, along with baby son Richard, moved to San Diego, California. Esther worked as “Rosie-the-Riveter” helping to build airplanes during that time. After the war, the family returned to Michigan, settling back in Coloma as life long residents raising four children.
Esther lived a life of dedication to her family’s needs and interests. She still found time to pursue her many interests of gardening, physical fitness, healthful eating, reading, sewing, traveling, Bible studies, and Christian services (including a mission trip to Guatemala in 1983).
After raising her children she worked as a cook for Cribbs School in Watervliet and later Menasa Corporation in Coloma. After retiring from working she served as a day care giver for both of her son’s children.
Esther was known as a gentle, loving, and generous person with a joyful spirit and sense of humor. While Esther will be greatly missed, we take great comfort in the assurance that she is now in the heavenly presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Esther was preceded in death by her husband Howard and son William of Merritt Island, Florida, and four sisters: Andrea (George “Bud”) Bower, Alice “Muffy” (Everett) Mast, Rachel (Emil) Ross, (all of whom were also born in China), Elinore (Richard) Kling, and Robert W. Sonnenberg.
Esther is survived by son Richard (Maria) Freed of Watervliet, son Robert (Cheryl) Freed of Watervliet, Daughter Patricia “Trish” Adcock of Normal, Illinois; Grandchildren;
Kevin (Ethel) McGee, Darrin (Heather) McGee, Jennifer (Ken) White, Kyle (Rachel) Freed, Joel (Rob) Matera Freed, Chaddrich Freed, Garrett Freed; Step-Grandchildren Karen Pfeffer, Daniel (Kristen) Pfeffer, Nate (Jamie) Whittington; Great- Grandchildren John White and Carter Freed; and nine Step-Great-Great Grandchildren.
Cremation action has taken place and the burial will be in North Shore Memory Gardens. There will be a private memorial service at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to North Berrien Senior Center.
The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the staffs of Dover House at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph and Centrica Care Navigators for the loving care our mother received.
She was born on March 19, 1923, in Tai Yao Cheng, Shansi Province, China where her parents Robert B. and Alice Sonnenberg and Grandmother Mae Hale Iry were missionaries.
The family returned to Michigan in August 1926 and eventually settled to farming in Watervliet with Robert’s father Andrew Sonnenberg. One of Esther’s many farm stories were of her milking the dairy cows
and walking to Cribbs School.
After graduating from Watervliet High School in 1941, she met and married Howard Freed of LaGrange, Indiana and settled in Coloma, Michigan. Howard enlisted and served in the Navy from 1943-1946. During WWII they, along with baby son Richard, moved to San Diego, California. Esther worked as “Rosie-the-Riveter” helping to build airplanes during that time. After the war, the family returned to Michigan, settling back in Coloma as life long residents raising four children.
Esther lived a life of dedication to her family’s needs and interests. She still found time to pursue her many interests of gardening, physical fitness, healthful eating, reading, sewing, traveling, Bible studies, and Christian services (including a mission trip to Guatemala in 1983).
After raising her children she worked as a cook for Cribbs School in Watervliet and later Menasa Corporation in Coloma. After retiring from working she served as a day care giver for both of her son’s children.
Esther was known as a gentle, loving, and generous person with a joyful spirit and sense of humor. While Esther will be greatly missed, we take great comfort in the assurance that she is now in the heavenly presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Esther was preceded in death by her husband Howard and son William of Merritt Island, Florida, and four sisters: Andrea (George “Bud”) Bower, Alice “Muffy” (Everett) Mast, Rachel (Emil) Ross, (all of whom were also born in China), Elinore (Richard) Kling, and Robert W. Sonnenberg.
Esther is survived by son Richard (Maria) Freed of Watervliet, son Robert (Cheryl) Freed of Watervliet, Daughter Patricia “Trish” Adcock of Normal, Illinois; Grandchildren;
Kevin (Ethel) McGee, Darrin (Heather) McGee, Jennifer (Ken) White, Kyle (Rachel) Freed, Joel (Rob) Matera Freed, Chaddrich Freed, Garrett Freed; Step-Grandchildren Karen Pfeffer, Daniel (Kristen) Pfeffer, Nate (Jamie) Whittington; Great- Grandchildren John White and Carter Freed; and nine Step-Great-Great Grandchildren.
Cremation action has taken place and the burial will be in North Shore Memory Gardens. There will be a private memorial service at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to North Berrien Senior Center.
The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the staffs of Dover House at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph and Centrica Care Navigators for the loving care our mother received.
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