DAHINDA-Reginald "Reg" M. Freeze, 73, of Dahinda, IL formerly of Rock Island, IL passed away on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
He was born on July 1, 1948 in Rock Island to Merlyn D. and Lois L. (Plunkett) Freeze.
Reg is survived by his loving family which includes his son, William M. (Robin) Freeze of Cumming, GA; grandchildren, Emily, Nathan and Ellen Freeze all of Cumming, GA; sister, Sharon K. (Michael) Feeley of Clive, IA; nephews, Michael T. (Chris) Feeley II of Roselle, IL and Brett P. (Ronda) Feeley of West Des Moines, IA; great nephew, Liam Feeley of West Des Moines, IA; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Reg was the president of American Tool and Supply. He was a U.S. Army National Guard Veteran.
Reg will especially be missed on the first tee with his friends at all their favorite golf courses. Golf became his passion when as a young boy his father, Merlyn, arranged his first lesson with a golf pro at a local country club. Reg pursued this passion to include collecting golf clubs (especially putters that never remained "hot" long enough) throughout his entire life. It was not just the challenge of the game he cherished but the quality of time spent with his golf buddies. He was not beyond using this serious time to tell stories and reminisce about his memorable past rounds: Like the hole in one story of a par 3 over water. He usually failed to mention that his first shot went into the "drink" and his penalty shot found the hole for a scorecard 3. In his senior years he enjoyed fun and success playing on the Illinois Sr. Amateur tour, but always preferred to return to his home course at Oak Run in Dahinda, IL. It was here he made throughout his lifetime many good friends and memories. It was also in Dahinda where Reg was widely known as a generous neighbor and great guy. He was a caring and charitable man of solid character. Of this there was no doubt among his family and friends. Or as a notable golf quotation might summarize "To find a man's true character play a round of golf with him". This is not to say that Reg couldn't also be the life of the party. He brought with his attendance joy, warmth, and humor and usually left early to let out his pooch. We will miss seeing Reg and that pooch, Sahara, traveling among us.
A celebration of Reg's Life for family and friends will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 5 p.m. at Big Catz BBQ, 221 E. Main St., Unit A, Knoxville, IL 61448.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude or Shriner's Hospital.