Mary Mildred Freeman

Mary Mildred Freeman, 68, passed into eternity on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at her home in rural Carthage, IL after a long battle with cancer. Mary was born on December 12, 1942 in Macomb, IL the daughter of F.B. and Roma Dean Freeman. She lived most of her life at the family farm in rural Carthage, IL. She attended college in Southern Illinois and worked for a photographer in Chicago for a few years. She married Loren Thomas and they later divorced. Mary was the owner and originator of Iliamo Horses for the past 40 years. She loved Arabian horses. Many years she donated an Arabian colt to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation. She is survived by a brother, John Helwig and his wife, Marge, of Keokuk, IA, special cousins, John Brooks and his wife Bernadette of Carthage, IL, Barb Brooks of Fridley, MN, two nieces, Kim Helwig Murphy and her husband Tony of Acworth, GA and Roma Hart Jenkins and her husband Jon of Ft. Dodge, IA, two nephews, John Helwig and his wife Angie of Nauvoo, IL, and Stan Hart of Ft. Madison, IA, eight great nieces and nephews, Jordan, Aaron, Madisen, and Logan Helwig, Megan and Austin Murphy, Mary "Katie" and John Paul Jenkins.Mary is also survived by her three special friends, Rob Patterson of Carthage, Kim Grabar and her children, Nicholas & Sarah of Carthage, and Nannette Davis "Fritz" of Gainesville, FL and her children, Aaron & Amber. Kim and Nannette were like daughters to Mary and their children were considered her grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Roma Hart McKeown, one nephew, Paul Helwig and her maternal and paternal grandparents. Mary's wishes were to be cremated. There will be no visitation or funeral at this time. A graveside service will be announced and held at a later date for family and friends. Burial will be in the McKay Cemetery in rural Carthage, IL. The Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA is in charge of arrangements.