M. Freeman

East Moline, Illinois
Eleanor Freeman, 79, of East Moline, Illinois, formerly of Pittsfield, Illinois, died Thursday, September 10, 2009, in Hope Creek Care Center, East Moline.
Visitation is 1:00 to 2:300 p.m. Sunday at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline, with a service to follow at 2:30 p.m. Burial will be at a later date in Indian Creek Cemetery, Hamburg, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Eleanor Mae Craigmiles was born November 3, 1929, in Nebo, Illinois, the daughter of Steven and Leta Marie (Campbell) Craigmiles. She attended schools in Pike Co., Illinois, including Chauncey L. Higbee High School.
She married Jack Torrens in 1949, in Barry, Illinois. She later married Howard Freeman on May 5, 1953, in Rock Island, Illinois. He died September 18, 1961.
Ellie Mae and Howard formed a band called "The River Valley String Dusters" in the early 50's and performed at many fairs, on the Radio Station KWPC in Muscatine, Iowa ,"The Westerm Roundup" on WOC T.V., and other special events including benefits. Band members included Howard Freeman, her sister Byrl Rhoads, Doc Meyers, and Dale Stigers. She and her sister were known as the "Mississippi River Valley Sweethearts" and as young girls they sang in talent shows and on the Radio in Jacksonville, Illinois, and on WLDS Radio Station with the "Prairie Pioneers".
Ms. Freeman was a member of the Musicians Union in the Quad City area. Later she became a certified C.N.A. and worked for East Moline State Mental Hospital before she retired, continuing to do Home Health Aide work for the elderly. She also recieved her Semi-truck drivers license from the NorthEastern Semi Truck Driving School in Chicago, Illinois.
Ellie Mae enjoyed climbing the bluffs and watching the steamboats on the Mississippi River as a young person, playing the piano, guitar, dancing, singing, sewing, good books, good movies, traveling, doing things for others and her family. Her family and friends enjoyed listening to her yoddle and sing Chime Bells.
She is survived by daughters, Monica Reighard (Mike) of East Moline, Scharie Freeman of Carbon Cliff, Illinois; sons, Hal Freeman (Kay) of Davenport, Iowa, Victor Freeman (Carolyn) of Nixa, Missouri, Mel Freeman (Cynthia) of New Port Richey, Florida, and Lacy Freeman (Anna) of Bettendorf, Iowa; sisters, Rosalie Kendall of Burlington, Iowa, and Byrl Rhoads (John) of Godfrey, Illinois; brothers, Gerald Craigmiles of Mt. Pleasant, Utah, and William Craigmiles of Detroit, Illinois; 20 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Julie White, from marriage to George White of the Quad City Area.
She will be missed dearly.
The family invites you to share stories and condolences and light a candle in Eleanor?s memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.