Source: News Journal

Florence (Thompson) Freed (1905-2003)

Born in Wabash County, Indiana, on September 23, 1905; died on January 22, 2003, and resided in North Manchester. She married Liegh Bradford Freed at Winona Lake, Indiana, on August 15, 1925; he died Jan 10, 1987.

She graduated from Wabash High School in 1923, and received a bachelor of public school music degree from Manchester College in 1928. She taught music in the Manchester Community Schools system, Manchester College, and gave private lessons. She had been a longtime member of the Manchester Church of the Brethren, where she served as choir director for 20 years, sang in the ladies trio for 35 years, and organized the youth choir. She also organized the Mother's Chorus, which consisted of 50 local women, and directed it for 15 years, presenting programs in the community and elsewhere. She had served as soloist for the Christian and Presbyterian churches in Wabash.

She was a member of the North Manchester Women's Club, the Dr. Manasseh Cutler Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Girl Scouts, the Wabash County Federation of Clubs, and the Indiana Federation of Clubs, serving as an officer of each organization. She also was a member of the Ivy Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, served as state president of the Indiana Federation of Music Clubs, had been the senior president of the State Children of the American Revolution, president of the North Manchester Civic Symphony, Manchester College Alumni Chapter Wabash County president, was a local founder and president of Omega Chapter Sigma Eta Sorority Fine Arts Inc., and served as national president and helped organize the North Manchester Historical Society. She helped operate the recording studio at the Rodeheaver School of Music.

She had lived at 1005 N. Wayne Street, North Manchester since 1925.

Surviving are her two daughters, Mrs. Connie Lee (Martin G.) Brumbaugh of Hillsdale, Michigan and Mrs. Bonnie Dee (Karl F.) Merritt of North Manchester; four grandchildren, Brooke Leigh (Laura) Brumbaugh of Kokomo, Brett Layne (Carrie) Brumbaugh of Toledo, Ohio, Kirk Bradford (Christine) Merritt of Powell, Ohio, and Mrs. Kristene Deeann (Joe) Miller of Columbus, Ohio; and nine great-grandchildren.

Preferred memorials are to the music department of the Manchester Church of the Brethren or the Peabody Healthcare Center.