Oscar Robert "Bob" Freesen Jr., 99 of Jacksonville, IL passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

He was born September 2, 1925, near Oxville, the son of Oscar R. Sr. and Opal Mae (Haus) Freesen. He married Alice Albright on Dec. 12, 1948, in Bluffs and she preceded him in death on Nov. 26, 2000. He later married Deborah "Deb" Meyer in Jacksonville on Sept. 1, 2001, and she survives.

He is also survived by two sons and one daughter, Oscar Robert "O.R."(Dawn) Freesen III of Bluffs, Kerry (Cathy) Freesen of Springfield, and Charla (Ted) Stieren of Chatham; fourteen grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Alice; two sons, Guy Freesen (surviving wife Susan of Harrisonburg, VA) and Matthew Freesen (surviving wife Cathy of Toledo, OH); one granddaughter, Sunset Freesen; one great granddaughter, Piper Grace Hoefler; two brothers, David Freesen in infancy and Roy Freesen (surviving wife Bonnie of Bluffs).

Bob's parents moved to Platteville, Colorado in 1927, and his brother Roy was born there on March 22, 1928. From there they moved to Kersey, Colorado until 1936 when they then moved back to a farm near Oxville. Bob attended a one room schoolhouse (Campbell Hollow) for seventh and eighth grades, and then went to Bluffs High School, graduating in 1943. He was drafted into the military in January 1944, and served until November, 1945. During the war in Europe, he was engaged in the Battle of the Bulge, the drive to Berlin, and the Occupation of Germany. He was wounded in Hamm, Germany on April 2, 1945, receiving the Purple Heart. In June 1946, with his brother Roy and their father, he started a Construction Company known as "Freesen Bros." He remained in the construction business until his retirement on June 31, 2001.

A funeral service will be held 12 P.M on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. The family will meet friends 10:30 A.M.-12 P.M. prior to the service. A private family burial will then be held at Winchester City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.