Steven Milton Freeman, of Coudersport, PA passed away at his home with family members at his side, on Saturday, April 13, 2024, following a lengthy illness.

Steve was born June 22, 1952, in Coudersport, the eldest son of Milton S. Freeman and Betty Palmatier Freeman.

Steve served his nation throughout the United States and Europe in the US Air Force from April 27, 1972 to October 31, 1994, retiring with the rank of Master Sgt. His duty assignments were located in New York (two tours), Alaska, Wyoming, Germany, and Nevada.  Steve’s duties included heating, plumbing and Civil Engineering taskings.  He received numerous commendations and a prestigious thank you from President Reagan as he was hand-picked for a special project. 

Upon retiring from the military, Steve was employed by Wending Creek Farms of Coudersport from 1994 until civilian retirement in 2022.

Steve was known for his incredible humor, wit, lifelong compassion for storytelling and pulling pranks, and helping family and friends.  He was a very proud Poppop to his six grandchildren and enjoyed teasing them and making them smile.  He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, gardening, hunting, camping, taking family trips, and producing maple syrup at Wending Creek Farms.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Linda Dawn Polmateer Freeman, children; Sarah (James) Gilmore of Charleston, SC; Martha (Brad) Brown of Mifflinville; Steven (Leslie) Freeman, JR of Birdsboro;  6 grandchildren; Alex Fletcher, Elizabeth Gilmore, Logan Gilmore, Brayden Brown, Novella Freeman, Ellory Freeman. Siblings: Deborah (Robert) Hults of Millerstown; Linda (Victor) Brown of Coudersport; Jeffrey (Mary) Freeman Coudersport; Lorraine (William) Brown of Mila; Emily (Daniel) Skelton of Noblesville, IN; and a sister-in-law, Mary Freeman of Coudersport.  

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Mark Freeman.

Steve’s in-laws, always thought of as siblings, are; Nellie (Jeff) Dumas of Schuylerville, NY; Chip (Sue) Polmateer of Schuylerville, NY; Ron (Pam) Polmateer of East Durham, NY; Dennis (Carrie) Polmateer of Freeport, NY; Lisa Biss of Middle Grove, NY; Beverly (Jim) Moras of Watervliet, NY; Mark Polmateer and Mikel McLeod of Chattanooga, TN.

We would like to extend a heartfelt and sincere thank you to the local Hospice team and very special family members that took extraordinary care of Steve during his journey.

Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects, from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Friday, April 19, 2024, at Fickinger Funeral Home, 210 North East St., Coudersport, followed by a memorial service at 3:00 pm, with Military Honors provided by the Potter County Honor Guard.  The interment will be in Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, NY at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Teacher’s Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Ln., Coudersport, PA 16915, and/or Wounded Warriors Project-LEEK .

To share a memory or condolence visit www.thomasfickinger.com.