Freeman Hovis

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Freeman J. Hovis, 81, of Perryville, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 12, 1922, in Marquand, Mo., son of James and Mary Smith Hovis.

He married Birdell T. Berkbuegler, June 30, 1945, in Jackson.

He was a truck driver. He was a World War II Army veteran and recipient of a Purple Heart. He was a machine gunner with the 90th Infantry, and participated in the invasion of Normandy and Cherbough beaches. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 133, and VFW Post 4282.

Survivors include his wife of Perryville; two sons, F. James Hovis of Belleville, Ill., and Mark Hovis of Duekburg, Mass.; four daughters, Sharon Renaud and Susan Behrle, both of Perryville, Lois Lilly of Jadwin, Mo., and Carla Gardner of Ironton, Mo.; two sisters, Lorene Keilhofner of St. Louis, Mo., and Lois Crites of Piedmont, Mo.; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, a sister and a grandson.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 6:30 to 11:20 a.m. on Monday, at Miller Family Funeral Home in Perryville. VFW service will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and parish wake service will be at 7 p.m., Sunday with the Knights of Columbus. The Rosary will be recited at 10:40 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Funeral Mass will be at 11:30 a.m., at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. William Thess officiating.

Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery with a graveside military service.