Barbara Joan Brooks, David Eugene Freelan
Barbara Joan Brooks
Barbara Joan Brooks, 88, of Lafayette, IN, passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Aster Place.
Barbara was born on January 1, 1938, in Kokomo, IN, to the late Joseph and Mary Edith (Tedlock) Freeman. She was a 1956 graduate of Kokomo High School.
On June 29, 1957, she married the love of her life David Ray Brooks at EUB Church in Kokomo. They cherished 59 wonderful years together before his passing on August 14, 2016.
Barbara worked in administration in the Bursar’s Office at Purdue University before later serving as an account clerk in the Ag Business Office. She enjoyed basket weaving and working events at Elliott Hall of Music. Barbara also loved traveling with her husband, creating wonderful memories together on trips to Spain, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Bahamas. She was a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi a National Honorary Extension Fraternity.
Surviving are her children Deborah Lynne Brooks and David (wife, Rebecca Jean) R. Brooks III; sisters Marilyn Franks and Marge Krick; three grandchildren Emily Mosier, Ethan Brooks, and Evan Brooks; and two great-grandchildren Josie May Brooks and Elijah David Brooks.
Along with her husband David, she is preceded in passing by her parents and brother Joseph Edward Freeman.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. at Hippensteel, with the funeral at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com
David Eugene Freelan
David Eugene Freelan, 94, entered eternity with the Lord at 4:06 a.m. on October 12, 2026. He was born on October 11, 1932, in Greens Fork, Indiana, to Eugene and Adry Freelan. He spent his early years on the family farm, but before graduating from college, he had lived in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida. He attended nine different schools throughout his educational career, which included graduating from high school at age 15 and with his undergraduate degree from Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) at age 19. He went on to earn his master’s in history education from Ball State University in 1968.
David taught high school for 38 years, beginning in South Bend, moving to Martinsville and Fairmount, but spending most of his career at Eastern High School in Greentown, Indiana. He is most known for teaching Government, Economics, U.S. and World History, Geography, and the Bible as Literary History, though along the way he also taught English, General Business, and Speech.
On August 20, 1954, David married Marilyn Kay Kesot, and they just celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary with an outing to their favorite restaurant: The Big Dipper in Converse, Indiana.
In addition to teaching at Eastern, David was the senior class sponsor for many years and organized and led single-day senior trips to Washington D.C.
He was also a participant in the Marion Easter Pageant for more than 40 years and loved being part of the cast of that production.
David loved singing and preaching and would often serve in local revivals and pulpit supply as needed. He was privileged to serve as the interim pastor at Hazel Dell Friends Church, and 17 years later he preached his final sermon there on Easter Sunday 2024.
Perhaps his greatest love was his radio program, Sounds of Joy, which he produced for more than 50 years. He had a studio behind his home east of Greentown, where he worked long hours providing sacred music to radio stations around the country.
In 2024, David and Marilyn left their home of 65 years in Howard County to spend the remainder of their days at Swiss Village Retirement Community in Berne, Indiana. The family appreciates the compassionate care of the Swiss Village staff and Stillwater Hospice, especially over the last few months.
David is survived by his wife of 72 years Marilyn Kay and three daughters Lori (Jeff) Blackburn of Greensburg, Kansas, Julie (Tom) Crowe Jr. of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Bekah (Ryan) Shaffer of Geneva, Indiana; one granddaughter Cassie (Kasey) Gamble of Greensburg Kansas; two great-grandchildren Caroline and Kirk Gamble of Greensburg, Kansas; and his little sidekick granddog Lexi Grae.
He was preceded in death by his father Harlan Eugene Freelan, mother Adry Freelan, and a grandson Geoffrey Kirk Blackburn.
A visitation in Howard County will be held at Sycamore Friends Church on Friday, October 16, from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The funeral service, also held at Sycamore Friends Church, will immediately follow the visitation and will begin at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Bekah Shaffer officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Greentown, Indiana. A visitation in Adams County will be held the following day, Saturday, October 17, in the Auditorium at Swiss Village Retirement Community from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hazel Dell Friends Church in Windfall, Indiana.