Francis H. “Ozzie” Freemer, age 92, of 7th Avenue Brockway, PA; died on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at Highland View Health Care in Brockway.Born on August 17, 1934 in Brockway, he was the son of the late John and Mary Gregory Fremer.
Ozzie was a 1952 graduate of the Brockway High School and played halfback for the varsity football team. On February 4, 1967 he was married to Elaine G. Caine and she survives. Retired, Ozzie spent over 50 years of his life in the coal fields, starting out at Becker Coal Company and retiring from Hepburnia Coal Company, but was employed by several large coal mining companies over many years. It was believed by many that Ozzie was the best drag line operator east of the Mississippi river! Prior to that he was the owner/operator of the Quaker State Service Station in Brockway, and was involved in the building of the dikes on either side of Toby Creek to control flooding issues that heavy rains brought. Ozzie also served his country in the U.S. Army, and was enlisted during the uprising of Germany. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Tobias Church in Brockway and was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus member. He also was a member of the S.O.I. Club and the Brockway Sportsmen’s Club. Ozzie was an avid hunter. He especially liked to hunt for rabbits and pheasant with his beagles. He also enjoyed fishing, cooking, watching the Steelers and Nascar and growing his fabulous garden. His greatest enjoyment came from sitting on his porch on 7th Avenue visiting and spending time with family and friends.
In addition to his wife Elaine, he is also survived by sons Francis Christopher (Sabrina) Freemer of Brockway; Andrew Scott Freemer of Brockway; a daughter Pamela (Thomas) Reeping of Boardman, Ohio; sons Terry (Kate) Freemer and Randy (Amy Moore) Freemer both of Brockway; sisters Marilyn Barefield and Elizabeth Furmanski both of Brockway; brothers Jack Fremer and Robert (Rose) Fremer both of Brockway; grandchildren Christopher (Elizabeth) Freemer, Alec Freemer, Josh Pentz, Raymond Pentz, Roxanne Pentz, Katlyn Shaffer, Halie and Max Reeping, Kelsey Freemer, Kaley Freemer, Kyle Freemer, Lakyn Freemer, Lindsey Freemer, Logan Freemer, Lorenzo Freemer, Liberty Freemer and two great grandchildren Jaxon Freemer and Kalani Freemer and a great granddaughter on the way! In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by a brother Mark Fremer.
Visitation will be on Monday, November 16 from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM at the Shugarts Funeral Home Inc. in Brockway. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 17 at 11:00 AM at St. Tobias Church in Brockway with Fr. John Detisch Presiding and Msgr. Charles Kaza con-celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Tobias Cemetery. Full Military Honors will be accorded Tuesday morning at the cemetery by Parson- Marnati Post #95 of the American Legion.
Memorial donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
