Verna Lou (Mulder) Freels

Verna Lou (Mulder) Freels, 83, passed away in Lafayette, Indiana, on Tuesday, March 11th, 2025, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Verna was born on March 24th, 1941, in Colfax, Indiana, to John and Altha Mulder as one of eight children. On September 2nd, 1961, she married Billy Freels, whom she now joins in Heaven, six years after his passing. 

An avid reader, Verna was a deeply curious person who found joy in many things, including Old Western films, crossword puzzles, Elvis Presley, HGTV, and, most of all, spending time with her grandchildren. She retired from State Farm Insurance after a fulfilling 33-year career.

She is survived by her children: Sheila Blackwell and her husband Scott, and Timothy Freels and his wife Missy; five grandchildren: Brittany Poore and her husband Colin, Lindsey Freels, Dylan Blackwell, Logan Blackwell and his wife Sarah, and Michael Freels. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Quinn Poore, Remy Freels, Banks Poore, and Sawyer Blackwell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy, and six siblings.

Open visitation will be held on Friday, March 14th, 2025, at Day and Genda Funeral Home in Frankfort from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The funeral service will immediately follow at the funeral home, officiated by Reverend Joseph Park. Burial will take place at Bunnell Cemetery in Frankfort, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family warmly suggests charitable donations in Verna’s memory to Natalie’s Second Chance Dog Shelter or Food Finders Food Bank in Lafayette, Indiana.