Charles James Freehouse

Charles James “Bud” Freehouse, of Holland, passed away June 8th, at American House of Holland. He was born on May 15th, 1925, to Charles Murl and Minnie Mae (Barkel) Freehouse, and grew up in northern Allegan County Michigan. He was the youngest of their three children, all of whom preceded him in death.

His father died when Bud was 11, so he left school after the 8th grade to help support his mother and sisters. During WWII, he enlisted in the Navy and was wounded when his ship was torpedoed. In July 1945, while the ship was in the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs, he met Harriet Nell Wilkey, the sister of a shipmate, visiting from Indiana. After a six-week courtship, interrupted by the war’s end, they married on August 23rd, 1945. After his naval service, he and Nell settled in Holland and were married for 75 years until her death in April 2021.

Bud was a quiet person, but once he knew you well, you met his sly smile and puckish sense of humor. He was a long-time employee of Baker Furniture, beginning in the machine room and eventually serving as a plant manager. A skilled cabinet maker, one of his accomplishments was the bar in the Lake Macatawa Bay Yacht Club. He was a long-time member of Rose Park Reformed Church, where he served as an elder for many years.

Bud is survived by: his daughter, Joan, and son-in-law Dick Harms; grandson Chris and Ashleigh Harms; granddaughter, Kate and Scott Bogus; and extended family members.

The family is grateful for the love from his Rose Park Church family for so many years, the care from the staff of American House of Holland during the past year, and the comfort and peacefulness provided by Hospice of Holland during his final days. If you wish, consider these three organizations for memorial contributions.