FREE, James P. 1927-2014

FREE, SCHAEFER, SCHMITZ, JASPER, WEBER

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 8/4/2014 at 23:48:32

[Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Wednesday, March 12, 2014]

WATERLOO - James P. Free, 86, of Waterloo, died Monday, March 10, 2014, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home.

He was born July 20, 1927, in Waterloo, son of Arthur and Agnes Schaefer Free. He married Monica “Mona” Schmitz on July 21, 1948, in Gilbertville.

He was employed with John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works for 35 years, retiring in 1982. James coached boys basketball at Sacred Heart for many years and also volunteered with the girls basketball program at Columbus High School. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.

Survived by his wife; three sons, James A. and Thomas (Sherry), both of Waterloo, and Jeff (Julie) of Emmetsburg; two daughters, Margaret “Peg” (James) Jasper of Maple Grove, Minn., and Mary (Randy) Weber of Raymond; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jenni; a daughter-in-law, Sharon; and a brother, Robert.

Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery, with military rites by U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway, with a 5 p.m. Knights of Columbus rosary and a 7 p.m. vigil service. Visitation also an hour before services Friday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the family or the church.