Chester E. Freeland
March 10, 1936 ~ August 20, 2015
Chester E. “Chet” Freeland, 79, Plainfield, died August 20, 2015, in Methodist Hospital. Mr. Freeland was born March 10, 1936, in Indianapolis, to the late William Russell and Goldie (Long) Freeland.
He graduated from Ben Davis High School and earned his Pharmacy degree from Butler University. Mr. Freeland started as a “soda jerk” at the age of 14 at Richhart Pharmacy on Holt Road in Indianapolis. He opened Value Plus Pharmacy in Mooresville in 1965 and successfully ran the business until its sale to CVS in 2009. He has continued to operate the building as Value Plus Flea Market and Auction House. Mr. Freeland served as president of the Indiana Pharmacists Association in 1985. He attended Gasburg Baptist Church and was a member of the Bridgeport Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, and an occasional trip to the casino.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Donald, Herman, and Charles Freeland.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn S. (Jennings) Freeland, to whom he was united in marriage April 28, 1991; children, David E. Freeland (Lynn) of Danville, Christine Freeland Scarioni of California, and Nancy Devens (Richard) of Plainfield; step-children, Robert R. Rivers (Linda) of Indianapolis, Dale A. Rivers (Melissa) of Plainfield, and Julie L. Sprinkle (Mike) of North Carolina; twelve grandchildren.
Friends and family will gather to celebrate the life of Chester E. Freeland on Monday, August 24, 2015, 2 to 4 p.m. in the Gasburg Baptist Church, 11564 N. Gasburg Road, Mooresville. The service will follow at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church (envelopes will be available). Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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So glad Dad was able to do what he loved the most, fishing on Lake Erie up until he left this earth. Just spoke with him last Thursday and he told me they went perch fishing since the Walleye were not biting and that they brought in 40 perch. They had caught about 100 of them but most were about 2 inches. Said they got the anchor rope caught under the prop and that they almost had to be towed in but they figured out how to get it out. Then he laughed with his usual laugh and said ‘ I have not fished for perch in two years, I guess I forgot how.’ Then I said, I bet you won’t ever forget again. Then he laughed and said no, thats for sure. That was my last conversation with my father. So grateful it was a good one and he was happy. Also, I am sooooo grateful for all his friends who have been there for him. He will forever be missed. Chris
Chet was one one of the really good guys. We fished together from Indiana to Florida and even did a trip to Mexico. A good fisherman, bowler and crap shooter. My best friend ever. I will do a Jack Daniels toast to him. Rest in piece Buddy Jerry Brinkman
I find it easy to be sincere when recounting memories of my Grandpa Chet. He was one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever known. In the twenty-five years that I knew him, I never heard him pass judgment on anyone. I have happy memories of the trips to the lake, the fish fries, and spending Christmas Eve with my cousins at Grandpa and Grandma’s house. More importantly, I remember my grandfather as a hard-working, intelligent man who remained modest and unpretentious despite his well-earned success. He had a great sense of humor, remarkable patience, and altruistic generosity. So long, Grandpa Chet. Thank you for everything you’ve done for our family. You will be dearly missed.
My favorite memory of my grandpa is from summer 2009. Grandpa, my mom, and I were out boating on the lake when we noticed a jet ski with no rider. We all remarked that we hoped the rider was okay. Then, we noticed a young woman in a life jacket several yards away. Grandpa steered the boat toward her and asked her if she was all right. She said the jet ski was hers, and she had fallen off of it. We helped her climb aboard, and Grandpa gave her a lift to where her jet ski was floating idly. He maneuvered the boat so the wake pointed the jet ski toward shore, and made sure its rider safely got back on. When she made it ashore, Grandpa said, ‘Well, I can’t wait to tell my friends I didn’t catch any fish, but I caught a mermaid!’ That’s my Grandpa Chet in a nutshell. This is a cherished memory because it shows my grandpa’s love for the lake, his boat, and fishing, as well as his willingness to help others, and his sense of humor.
My wife Reba Sutton worked for Mr. Chet for 5 1/2 years. He was one of the nicest and most respected men I have ever met. You will be missed by many. Rest in peace sir.
Chet was great guy, and to me, a force of nature. He was also a lot of fun to be around. I remember the first time I went walleye fishing w/ him on Lake Erie. There was quite a bit of chop on the water (3-5 ft. waves), and I hadn’t taken any Dramamine. I was turning a bright shade of green. He turned and said, hey boy, how about a doughnut and some coffee? That short expressive laugh of his followed. I sucked it up and we caught some beauties. He took care of every detail on the trip, and just loved having the company. And as a father in law, he couldn’t be beat. RIP, oh Captain of Lake Erie. Rick Devens (Son-In-Law)
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Where do I start? Such an Awesome Place to Work at Value Plus Pharmacy…..Moved to Indiana in Feb. 2000 from Louisiana….Started working there in August of 2000 until February of 2006…. Worked with Many Great Co-Workers and Pharmacists…. But Best of All….The Boss of All of Us…Mr Chet Freeland.:heart:…… I was Certified in Louisiana as a Certified Pharmacy Tech. and then became Certified for Indiana…Not long after that, we were allowed to become Nationally Certified….an Honor that I was Very Proud Of…..All because Mr. Chet believed in Us and wanted the Best for His Crew…I will Always be Grateful for Him taking a Chance on just a Southern Girl that had a Southern Drawl that alot made fun of…lol….Thanks Again…Mr. Chet….Gone but Never Forgotten ….I know You are in Heaven showing Everyone how to Fish and Bowl……Rest In Peace…….Hugs…Reba Sutton…:blush:
Carol, please accept my heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your husband. I never had the pleasure of meeting him but I’m sure he was a great man. May he rest in the arms of the Lord. Your friend from AES. Della Downing
Nancy, Dave, Christine, Carol we just saw Chet’s obituary in the paper. So sorry about your loss. Chet was a great man. The last time we saw him was a few months ago when we saw him and Carol at MCL. We always seemed to run into them at a restaurant.
Chet was a friend and a blessing to all he encountered. His sense of business and integrity speaks for itself. He was honest and caring and he will be greatly missed. Even though I had not seen him or any of the V.P. crew in quite awhile, my thoughts about that chapter in my life was not in vain. I had the pleasure of working with Chet for many, many years and I respect him greatly. We always enjoyed the benefits of his fishing trips; he had the best fish fries! He was a pillar in the community of Mooresville where I grew up. He was always willing to loan to you whatever it was that you needed, whether it was medicine, food, or household supplies. He was there to help meet your needs. Not too many business people would do that. Nancy and family, I am truly sorry for your loss. I pray that God comforts your hearts and that in time your loss becomes less painful. I am hoping that he didn’t suffer much, for one who had the knowledge of healing with medicine that his pain was relieved. May peace and love be celebrated in Chet’s passing as much as it was in his lifetime. Leslie Frazier Mitchell
It’s difficult to single out a specific memory of my grandfather, because all of them are wonderful–we’ve always lived in the same neighborhood, so he’s always been a close part of my life. He never failed to make me laugh. He was a genuinely warm, funny, and loving. I’ll miss him teasing me about ‘being up to no good’ when he’d great me. I love you, Grandpa, and so many people did–with good reason. You will be missed. -Haley
I remember the many fishing tales from Chet, Donald & Herman from their trips to Lake Erie and the many times they came to our farm in Danville to go rabbit hunting. He could always make you laugh and always had a smile on his face. David, Nancy and Crissy–Sorry I could not make it to the the services due to work obligations but my thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. Marjorie Hitchcock
chet was a a best friend and neighbor at Green Cove. His condo was the ‘hanging out condo’ everyone always felt at home ithere. After a day of fishing we would go out to eat, Chet would always drive, it was like we had our personal Chauffer. The best part was our trips to the Casino, he would always laugh at our mere winning compared to his, he was a ‘ Lucky Guy’. Green Cove will not be the same without him, he was part of the ‘3 Amigos’ Chet, Don Fisher and my husband Vern. Chet and Don are getting their limit in heaven Vern is still fishing for his. My Daughter Cindy explained to her 2 kids that PaPas best friends are gone to heaven, Zachary who is 7 told his siste now we have to be PaPas fishing buddies.. Barb and Vern
I worked with Chet in the 70’s. He was always laughing and helping people. Condolences to the family.