Obituary of Herbert Lawrence Freye

Herbert Lawrence Freye, 76, of Roanoke, formerly of Norton Shores, Mich. peacefully departed this life on Friday, December 9, 2016. He was predeceased by his parents, Louis H. Freye and Alice Mysen Zimmerman; his stepfather, Richard S. Zimmerman, and stepmother, Betty Freye; and sister, Carol A. Bartrand. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Suzanne Bachman Freye; brothers, Robert Karl Freye (Jean) and Daniel Louis Freye (Gloria); sisters-in-law, Mary Thompson (Bill) and Joan Atwell; daughters, Karen Diane Ellexson and Kristin Laura Freye Benson; son-in-law, Thomas Ellexson; beloved grandchildren, Sarah Fleener and Rylan Ellexson; and cherished nieces and nephews. Born December 31, 1939, Herb was a native of Muskegon, Mich. He graduated from Creston High School, Grand Rapids, Mich, in 1958. He received his B.A. in Pre-Legal Studies in 1962 and his M.A. in Public Administration in 1964, both from the University of Michigan. He was enrolled in and received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy Air Officer Candidate Program in 1964. Herb spent his entire professional life in public service, having served as Deputy City Manager of Traverse City, Mich.; Assistant City Manager of Battle Creek, Mich.; Assistant City Manager of Bloomington, Minn.; and City Manager of Norton Shores, Mich., the position he held when he retired in 1997. The family would like to thank the Pheasant Ridge Nursing and Rehab Center staff for their care for Herb. Visitation will be held Monday, December 12, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road Roanoke, Va. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Sytsema Funeral Home, Lee Chapel, Norton Shores, Mich.