Odis Freeman, 71, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001, at the Lutheran Home.

He was born Sept. 25, 1929, in Damascus, Ark., son of Lee Irvin and Alpha Fay Bryant Freeman. He and Lola Carrow were married Nov. 8, 1959, at Morley, Mo.

Odis farmed in the Morley area from 1955 to 1968. He owned and operated Freeman's Mobile in Cape Girardeau 18 years, retiring in 1987. He was a dispatcher with Ryder Student Transportation from 1989 until his death.

He was a member of Mt. Auburn Christian Church and VFW Post 3838.

A veteran of the Korean War, Odis served in the U.S. Army from Oct. 7, 1947, to Oct. 6, 1951, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was also retired from the Missouri Army National Guard 1140th Engineer Battalion.

Survivors include his wife; his mother of Sikeston, Mo.; three sons and daughters-in-law, Matthew and Debra Freeman of Jefferson City, Mo., Danny and Janet Freeman of Jackson, Mo., Jonathan and Julie Freeman of Cape Girardeau; three daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara Ann and Terry Mobley of Jefferson City, Janet Ruth and John Felter of Benton, Mo., Elizabeth and Chris Leuckel of Jefferson City.

Also surviving is a brother and sister-in-law, Uyless and Helen Freeman of Benton; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Ella Dean and Henry Schiwitz of Benton, Margie Ann Grant of Benton; 15 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his father, a sister, and two sons.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Wesley Wright officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park, with graveside rites by Missouri Military Honors Guard.

Memorials may be made to Children's Miracle Network or Mt. Auburn Christian Church.