George Freeman Obituary

George A. Freeman

George Arthur Freeman, 94, of Tiffin, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at The Courtyard at Tiffin.

He was born March 25, 1932, in Youngstown, to Arthur J. and Virginia O. (Watt) Freeman.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Dell Freeman. They were married May 26, 2001, at Tiffin St. Mary Catholic Church. George lovingly referred to Janet as "the most important woman of his life". George is also survived by Janet's children, Michael (Carol) Dell, Jane Dell (Paul Burtis) and Elizabeth (Mark) Zimmerman and their children, Ryan and Patrick Dell, Ceci, Jack and Sophie Burtis, and Jacob and Alec Zimmerman. Throughout his marriage to Janet, George established a close relationship with Janet's children and grandchildren and considered them his family; he particularly enjoyed playing chess with them and teaching them Russian.

George is also survived by two children from his first marriage, George J. Freeman and Patricia Freeman Nessburg, both of Chatham, Michigan; and grandchildren, Andrew and Daniel Nessburg.

George graduated from Struthers High School in 1950. A life-changing moment came when his speech teacher, Oliver Davis, asked him to represent the high school on a public service program, "Career Clinic", broadcast on WKBN Radio, where his passion for radio, news and broadcasting began. George then attended Heidelberg College, where he sang bass in the Concert Choir for four years and graduated from the Heidelberg Class of 1954, majoring in speech. He later proudly sang in the Heidelberg Community Chorus.

Two weeks after graduating from Heidelberg, George began a long and successful career in broadcasting as a staff announcer at WKST AM/TV 45, New Castle, PA. He then became the first "morning man" radio broadcaster at Youngstown's then-new rock ' n ' roll radio station, Hot Radio, WHOT. He began five years in broadcast journalism as news director at WKST-AM/TV, WBBW-AM, Youngstown; he continued in that role at WNHC-AM, New Haven, CT; WNBF-TV 12, Binghamton, NY; and WDRC AM/FM, Hartford, CT. He then served as news editor at WNEW-TV 5 in New York City (now the flagship of Fox News).

George was an account executive at WHCT-TV 18 and WDRC AM/FM, in Hartford, CT and General Manager at WCCC AM/FM, Hartford.

In 1969, George started a 30-year career as owner/operator of radio stations at WGON-AM in Munising, MI, and built a companion FM station (now 50,000-watt WRUP). George honored his high school speech teacher by naming his corporation "Ollie's Idea, Inc." He then moved on to KGRI-AM/FM, Henderson, TX; WDGS, NEWSRADIO, Louisville, KY; and WIKI, Madison, IN/Carrollton, KY. Each of his broadcast properties was a turnaround situation, having been poor performers at the time of purchase and later, through his efforts, becoming top-performing stations. George retired in 1999, selling his last station and real estate after increasing the value of his investment over tenfold.

George led fundraising for his Heidelberg Class 50th reunion. The event set a new standard for 50th reunion fundraising and resulted in a significant increase in giving for Heidelberg.

George founded and led the Pictured Rocks Industrial Development Enterprise (PRIDE) in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and brought many new jobs to the area. He helped create the Cornerstone Society at Madison, Indiana, an activist historic preservation organization that saved numerous historic buildings from demolition.

George completed two certified historic rehabilitation projects in downtown Madison, Indiana, allowing him to pursue his passion for adapting, reusing and preserving historic buildings. In Tiffin, he acquired the 1890 Tiffin Savings Bank and lectured regarding its history and its builder, U.S. Congressman George E. Seney.

Beginning in 2005, George and Janet Freeman co-founded and were lifetime members of Johnson's Island Civil War Roundtable, based in Tiffin. George also played a role in acquiring the American Civil War Museum of Ohio for Tiffin. He was a lifetime member of the Jefferson County (IN) Civil War Roundtable and was a Kentucky Colonel.

Per George's request, there will be no services.

Memorial contribu-tions may be made to Heidelberg University or Civil War Roundtable in care of Roy Zinn, Treasurer, 4766 S SR 231, Tiffin, OH 44883.

Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family.

Condolences may be sent and guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.