Jimmie E. Free

Jimmie (Jim) Eldon Free, 86 of Rockford, passed away on Monday, August 21, 2023.

Jim was born on November 27, 1936, the son of J. Emery and Helen J. (Bullard) Free. He grew up and went to school in Mystic, Iowa where he met, in kindergarten, the love of his life Nyla Kay Seddon. Jim and Nyla were married on November 22, 1960 and were together for over 60 years. Upon honorable discharge from the Air Force, Jim worked for Ingersoll in Rockford for nearly 38 years, retiring in 1997. When he wasn’t working, he was with his children and his grandchildren. The sheer number of games, meets, recitals, plays, performances, parties, graduations, and other celebrations he attended is staggering. He was also there for any project that needed done, and there to ensure whatever the project was, it was done properly. In short, when there was something happening for, or needed by his family, he was there!

Jim had a wicked funny sense of humor right up to the end. It is a trait that has been passed on to his children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.

Surviving relatives include his children, Dawn Free, Julie Campo (husband Peter Campo), Todd Fischer-Free (husband Brian Fischer) and Michael Free (wife Adriana Free); 8 grandchildren, Kathryn (Kayt) Free (Timothy Yang), Tyler Free , Laura Campo (Sean Copeland), Gregory Campo (Isabella Gandara), Hannah Campo (Jacob Behling), Ulises Fernandez, Uriel Fernandez and great-grandchild Eleanor Campo; sisters-in-law , Etta (Neal) Smith, Dona (Jimmie) Nikolosus, Rosemary Seddon, Janice Seddon, and Sandy Wilke-Free; brothers-in-law, James (Nancy) Seddon, Richard (Carol) Seddon, Joe (Vickie) Seddon, Jerry McGowan and many nieces and nephews. Jim is predeceased by his parents; wife, Nyla Kay Free; brothers, William (Bill), Mick and Fred; sisters, Betty, Ruby, Ann Edean, Dixie and Glenice; brothers-in-law Robert, Gerald, and Clyde Seddon; son, Jeffery Free and grandson, Andrew Campo.

A private family service will be held followed by a celebration of life at a later date. Final resting place will be in Scandinavian Cemetery. For those that wish, in lieu of flowers, direct gifts to Ronald McDonald House Charities http://www.rmhc.org/ or Northern Illinois Hospice northernillinoishospice.org.

Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com