The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Freda Springer, Somerset, passed away September 12th after a long illness. She was 81 years old.
Freda was born February 4th, 1935 to Chloe and Chester Heckathorn, in Pleasant Lake, In. She graduated from Pleasant Lake High School, and then later as a non-traditional student, from Raritan Valley Community College with an associates’ degree in accounting. She was very proud of being the first one in her family to graduate from college.
While working at Clyde’s Drive-In as a senior in high school, she met the love of her life, her “honey”, Jack Springer. They married on July 11, 1953. Having celebrated 62 years of marriage, he predeceased her earlier this year.
Freda held many jobs over the years. She was best known for being the cafeteria lady at MacAfee Road School. For many years she worked there, and loved all the little children that came through the line.
Freda found Jesus as a young adult, and was very active in her church and faith. She was a pillar in the congregation of Somerset Presbyterian Church, serving on many church committees and groups, and organizing many church projects.
Freda was proud of her family, and where she came from. She loved her sisters and brothers, and told a lifetime of stories of growing up on a farm. Freda loved to sew and work in the yard. She was always busy, always on the go. She was a kind woman who would do anything for anyone. She loved her grandchildren more than anything. They were her reason for being.
Freda Springer is survived by her daughter Karen Ball of Saginaw, Michigan; her son James of Somerset; her grandchildren, Jessica and Alyson Valazza, Stephen Ball of Michigan, and Erik Ball of Illinois; her sisters, Hazel Cummings, Glyda Arnold and Lou Burry; her brothers, Chester Jr., Paul, Russell, and Charles. She was predeceased by her husband Jack and son-in-law Chris Ball.
Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday at Gleason Funeral Home, 1360 Hamilton St., and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday at Somerset Presbyterian Church 100 JFK Blvd., followed by the funeral service. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Somerset. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association.
