Christopher Freshwater

Christopher Freshwater, age 58, of Mattoon, passed away at 2:30 pm. on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.\r\n\r\nThe funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 3, 2007, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home in Mattoon, Illinois with Reverend Lloyd Johnson officiating. Interment will be in Thomas Lincoln Cemetery of rural Lerna, IL, near the Shiloh Church. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5-8 pm at the funeral home.\r\n\r\nMr. Freshwater was born December 5, 1948, in Neodesha, KS, the son of Charles Theodore and Twyla (Talbert) Freshwater, both survive. He married Sheila Roderick on June 14, 1975. She also survives. Other survivors include his mother in-law, Betty Roderick of Mattoon, IL; and 5 sisters, all of St. Louis, MO: Dr. Amy Freshwater and husband Dr. Peter Stokan, Polly Freshwater, Sally Hall and husband Mathew, Reverend Susan Hayes and husband Bob, and Jill Freshwater and Laura Marshall. He also leaves 12 nieces, Emma Hayes, Claire Hayes, Amanda G. Freshwater, Katie Passis, Jessica Passis, Natalie Hall, Hannah Hall, Emily Gray, Stormie Young, Shara Rowe, Gwen Rowe, and Adair Stokan; 8 nephews, Simon Crane, Samuel Freshwater Crane, Andrew H. Freshwater, David Passis, Charles Rowe, Garrett Stokan, Ryan Gray, and Jimmie Young; 4 grand nieces and nephews, Patrick Britt, Cecelia Britt, Nina Young, and Caleb Gray; and 2 loving pets, Nancy and Anastasia. He was preceded in death by his father in law, Fritz Roderick.\r\n\r\nMr. Freshwater earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and had been employed by Rural King Supply. \r\n\r\nChris was an avid cyclist and was committed to physical fitness and health and well-being. Other pastimes included exploring culinary arts, operating a Hamm Radio for many years, serving as adjunct professor for Lakeland College, and expressing his love for music, especially 'Rock and Roll,' by playing guitar and singing. \r\n\r\nMemorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2580 Federal Drive, Suite 403, Decatur, IL, 62526. \r\n\r\nTo share a memory or light a virtual candle, please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com.

Tributes

Christopher Freshwater

December 5, 1948 - February 28, 2007