Ben Harvey Freeze

BEN HARVEY FREEZE

October 16, 1935 – September 14, 2022

ELKHART- Ben Harvey Freeze, 86, of Elkhart, died Wednesday September 14, 2022, at Elkhart General Hospital following a brief illness.  He was born October 16, 1935, in Manchester, TN to Ed & Ruby (Duke) Freeze.

     On June 23, 1956, in Woodbury, TN he married Mary Elizabeth Pirtle.  She survives along with 3 grandchildren, Jamie A. (Bethany) Freeze of Elkhart, April M. Freeze of Edwardsburg, MI, Stefanie A. (Jack) Stouder of Goshen, IN: 7 great-grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.  Also surviving is his brother, Terry Freeze of Tampa, FL: 3 sisters, Edna Moss of Taylor, MI, Betty Jo Nelson of Westland, MI, Faye (Harry) Johns of Wyandotte, MI and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Alan Freeze, a granddaughter, Allison C. Freeze and 4 siblings, Leighton Freeze, Sammy Freeze, Oda Kay Crocker, and Helen Kime.

     Harvey was the co-founder and lifelong member of the Riverview General Baptist Church in Elkhart.  He loved the church and over the years served in many capacities at the church.  Harvey also was a member of the IAM (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers).  He enjoyed woodworking, fixing things and growing vegetables in his garden.

     Harvey worked at Elkhart Brass Manufacturing for over 45 years and retired in 2000.

     Visitation for family and friends will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday September 18, 2022, at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home.  Additional visitation will be for 1 hour prior to the 11:00 a.m. Monday September 19, 2022, funeral service at the Riverview General Baptist Church, 1201 E. Indiana Ave., Elkhart, IN 46516.

Pastor Rick Pirtle will preside, and burial will follow at Olive (West) Cemetery.

     Memorial contributions may be given to the church.

Obituary and photo to the Elkhart Truth and WMZ website.

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