Melvin Darrell Freeman

Melvin “Mel” Darrell Freeman 75, lifelong resident of Burton, Idaho, passed away Friday, October 11, 2013 at his home of a heart attack. Mel was born July 25, 1938 in Rexburg to Derril Freeman and Mae Gundersen Freeman. He spent his childhood years in the Burton area and attended schools in Madison County. On May 28, 1956, he married C. Kay Cherry in LaBelle, Idaho; they were later divorced. He worked at the Challenge Creamery in Idaho Falls and helped his parents operate the farm located in the Burton area. Mel purchased the farm by the river from his grandfather in 1960. He started working at Westinghouse, where he became a plumber/pipefitter. He later went to work for Industrial Contractors. Mel married LaKauna Mason on August 31, 1973. Mel’s job required them to travel frequently, mainly to the southern United States. In 1977 they bought a home in Idaho Falls where they lived until 1983. He then moved his family to the house in Burton where he was raised. Mel spent his evenings and weekends building onto the farmhouse, making it big enough to accommodate his growing family. He continued farming the land in Burton with his sons where he passed on his love for hard work. He retired from Industrial Contractors in 1999. He enjoyed spending time with his family. His children and grandchildren were the center of his life. Mel liked to build things and would spend hours in the shop building miscellaneous pieces of furniture. A major family highlight was when he took all 27 of his children and grandchildren to Honolulu for a weeklong vacation. He liked to spend weekends and holidays at the cabin in Island Park snowmobiling, boating, and four wheeling. Mel is survived by his wife, LaKauna of Burton; daughters Pam (Randy) Ellis of Meridian, Jacque (Todd) Heyrend of Rexburg; Chelsea Freeman of Salt Lake City, Utah; sons, Mike Freeman of Vallejo, California, Shaun (Laurie) Freeman, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Doug (Helena) Freeman, of Rexburg; granddaughters, Samantha and Jordyn which lived with him and called him “Dad”; for a total of 26 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Jason; daughter, Tamara and grandson Dylan. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at Burton 1st Ward LDS Chapel, 3958 W. 2000 S. Rexburg. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Rigby, and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery. Services are under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.