Judith Ann Freeman, 84, of Bellville, passed away Monday, March 30, 2026, at Country Meadows Care Center, leaving behind a home built on quiet devotion, steady faith, and the kind of love that showed up every day.
She was born June 28, 1941, in Logansport, Indiana, to the late C. Everett and Esther (Regan) Watts, and carried with her a lifelong understanding that the most important work is often done within the walls of one’s own home.
Judith was, first and always, a caretaker of her family. As a homemaker, she created a place where needs were met without being spoken and where love was understood without condition. In 1984, she stepped into the workforce at Hi-Stat in quality control, yet even as her world expanded beyond the home, her priorities never shifted. Her family remained the center, and she made certain they felt it. She retired in 2006 after 22 years of faithful work.
She found joy in the simple and familiar rhythms of life—an afternoon game, the voices of Cleveland sports teams echoing through the house, or the Buckeyes playing on a Saturday. When the games were over, she could just as easily be found watching her favorite game shows. But her greatest joy was found in her grandchildren. She was present in their growing up—in the walks to the Bellville Library, in the stories shared, and in the memories made along the way. Those ordinary moments became lasting ones because she was there.
She also treasured time spent on the road with her sister-in-law Judy, the two of them setting out on trips that brought laughter and companionship over the years.
Her life was anchored by a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. That faith was not simply spoken but lived, forming a steady foundation her family could depend upon. As a devoted member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Judith’s presence reflected a quiet strength—one that pointed others toward hope, steadiness, and grace.
She will be remembered with love by her daughter, Jodi (Bill Rinehart) Squires of Lexington; her grandchildren, DJ (Ashley) Squires of Loudonville, Matthew (Kristina) Squires of Bellville, Dylan Squires of Bellville, and Bradley (Mazie) Squires of Mansfield; her bonus grandchildren, Erika (Rob) Rinehart of Lexington and Colten (Macie) Rinehart of West Salem; her many great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Amaya, Blake, Remi, Alexis, Brennan, Myra, Gunnar, William, Kellen, Pierce, Ethan, and one yet to be born; her special niece and nephew, Jenny and Josh Snavely; her brother and sister-in-law, Dick (Patricia) Watts of Zephyr Hills, Florida; and her dear friends, Kenny and Lori McKee and their children, Landon and Bailey.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her former husband, Mark Freeman; her sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Don Draheim; her niece, Beth Ann Draheim; her nephew, Scott Draheim; her sister-in-law, Judy Freeman.
Friends may gather from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 3716 Bellville North Road, Bellville, Ohio 44813, where a memorial service will follow at 12:30 p.m. with Pastor Jeremy Barr officiating. Burial in Bellville Cemetery will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org/give-monthly
The Bellville Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Freeman family. To share a fond memory or to leave a condolence to the family please visit Judith’s obituary page at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com
Funeral Home: The Bellville Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com