Funeral Service
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation-
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Email Details
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6501 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46260
1927
Irving
2018
Irving Joel Freeman
January 20, 1927 — March 7, 2018
Irving J. Freeman, 91, passed away on March 7, 2018, surrounded as he often was by his loving family. Born on January 20, 1927 in Indianapolis, he was the son of Manuel Freeman and Yetta Rosen.
Known to his family as "Big Irv," he was a natural salesman and people person extraordinaire, selling premium and ad specialty items and working with dairies and oil companies before he retired at age 75 from Kipp Brothers. After attending Indiana University, he graduated from University of Missouri in 1950 with a BS in marketing.
In addition to his beloved family, Big Irv loved and served both the Indianapolis and national Jewish communities. Until his death, Irv served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Union for Reform Judaism. Irv previously served as President of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation (IHC), Hooverwood Home for the Aged, and Park Regency. For more than 30 years, Irv chaired the Cemetery Committee at IHC.
Big Irv was an Eagle Scout and served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1946.
In 1952, Irv married his first love, Barbara Heiman, from Oklahoma City whom he met on a blind date. Together, they had four children and many, many more whom they "adopted" along the way. They were blessed with 8 extraordinary grandchildren who loved texting with their very modern grandfather and sharing many wonderful meals together (though very few merited a rating of more than a 6!). Irv was devoted to his family; he dropped everything to be with them and traveled miles, braving tornados and blizzards to break bread.
Irv and Barbara were married 59 ½ years when she passed away in 2011. After her death, Irv found a second love in Jackie Larman with whom he shared cocktail hours, home-cooked meals, travel and deep gratitude for life and family. Jackie, who has become known as the Irving Whisperer, was by his side when he passed.
For more than 40 years, Irv attended IU Football games with his son-in-law Roland Dorson and every other member of his family. Despite optimism and hope, he was unable to experience IU's return to the Rose Bowl during his lifetime.
Big Irv was preceded in death by his beloved wife Barbara, his parents, and his brother Herschel for whom Irv cared since the age of 5 until Herschel's death. He is survived by his special love, Jackie Larman; his children, Lisa Freeman and Kevin Hardie, Patti Freeman Dorson and Roland Dorson, Martha Freeman, and Eddie and Laurie Freeman; as well as his grandchildren, Benjamin Dorson, Michael Hardie, Daniel Dorson, Sarah Freeman, Becca Hardie, Max Freeman, Maddie Leistikow and Justin Leistikow. Irv also leaves behind many wonderful "adopted" children including Marc Aronstam, Susie Beiman, Susan Howe, Marci Reddick and many, many more.
Big Irv was loved dearly by so many people. He was the embodiment of the Yiddish term "mensch" for the way he shared his huge heart. He will be missed terribly by his family and friends.
Services will take place at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 6501 N. Meridian Street 46260 on Sunday, March 11 at 2:00 pm with interment at IHC Cemetery South on Kelly Street in Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, Irv requested that donations be made to Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation or Hooverwood Home for the Aged.
Shiva will be at the residence of Patti and Roland Dorson, 547 Holliday Lane, Indianapolis. Shiva will be 6:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. on Sunday the 11th and Monday the 12th. A Minyon will be held each day at 6:00 p.m.
Arrangements entrusted to A.R.N. Funeral & Cremation Services. Friends may leave a memory or message of condolence by visiting the online obituary at www.arnmortuary.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Irving Joel Freeman, please visit our flower store.
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