Obituary of Charles E. Freyermuth

Charles Ellis Freyermuth was born January 26, 1943 in Salina, Kansas to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Freyermuth, USAF bomber pilot and instructor from Muscatine, Iowa, and Margaret Ellis Freyermuth from Bradford, Ontario, Canada. He born into the kingdom of God on October 20, 1975, when he was led to Jesus by Pastor Gerald Titus. Charlie went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 20, 2017 in his home and surrounded by family. Reared in Muscatine, Iowa, Charlie graduated from Muscatine High School in 1961. He was a varsity wrestler for four years, team captain his senior year, and became district and conference wrestling champion. He studied chemical and industrial engineering at the University of Iowa on a wrestling scholarship and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. As a Hawkeye wrestler, he placed in several tournaments as well as represented the University of Iowa at the NCAA national championship tournament. While at Iowa, Charlie completed the four-year Air Force ROTC flight introduction program, and was recommended for a regular commission and advancement to pilot training. Charlie came to love sky diving, making over 900 jumps during his parachuting career, and founded the University of Iowa Parachute Team with two friends. He was in the opening act of the Moline Airport Air Show and a Cedar Rapids Air Show with the USAF Thunderbirds. On June 4, 1977, Charlie married the love of his life, Barbara Bently, combining their families. In 1988, Charlie and Barb had the privilege of taking over the Marion Avenue Baptist Church bus route to Iowa City, picking up thousands of kids from Eastern Iowa over 24 years. Charlie was employed for 43 years by Sheller-Globe, now known as International Automotive Components. The first half of his career, Charlie was the industrial engineering manager for the plant and the second half was spent in supply management, leading problem solving and crisis resolution with suppliers around the globe. Charlie used his three-step action plan of “pray, plan, execute” to enlist God to resolve countless impossible crises. Charlie’s most cherished times were spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Barb, son, Tod (Laurie) Owens, daughters Monica (Butch) Temple, Jo Ann (Brent) Davis, and Michelle (Rob) Vossen. His grandchildren Shannon Killian, Meighan (Charlie) Funk, Haleigh Killion, Caitlin, Celeste, Connor, Chase and Camryn Davis, Abbey McElroy, Nick, Maddison, Ben (Mary), and Eli Temple, and Alyssa and Bobby Vossen. He has seven great-grandchildren. Charlie’s prayer for his family and friends is that we will all spend eternity together with our heavenly Father and Jesus. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marion Avenue Baptist Church bus ministry. A special thanks to Charlie’s pastors: Gerald Titus, Lloyd Miller, Larry Brown and Joseph Brown. A time of visitation will be held Friday, February 24th from 4-8 pm at the Gay & Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City. Funeral Services will be held 1:30 pm, Saturday at the Marion Avenue Baptist Church in Washington. Family interment will take place at a later time at Greenwood Cemetery in Muscatine. Memories and online condolences may be shared with Charlie’s family at www.gayandciha.com.