H. Phillip Free Jr., age 79, a New Castle resident passed away Saturday, August 14, 2021 in his residence. He was born July 2, 1942 in Ashland, Indiana and was a son of Hucy Phillip Free, Sr., and Eva Lamberson.
Phillip was a 1960 graduate of Walter P. Memorial Chrysler High School and during high school Phillip was in the National Guard for 9 months. He then served in the U.S. Air Force from 1960 until 1965 where he was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base in Homestead, Florida. During his last two years of service he served in North Africa. Phillip was retired from Guide Lamp in 1998 after 33 ½ years of service. He was also a fireman for the Ingalls Volunteer Fire Department.
Phillip was a member of the American Legion, VFW Post 266 in Anderson, Indiana, Mason Lodge #101 and the Shrine Club in Greenfield, Indiana. He was a 32 degree mason and a member of local #391. He was also a member of the Whittier Lane Baptist Church in New Castle.
He is survived by his wife, Frances “Olds” Free; a daughter, Nicole Walker (Waco) of Ingalls, Indiana; a step-son, Dean (Tina) Gard of Mooreland, Indiana; grandchildren, Amber (Brandon) Nelson of Greenfield, Indiana, Shane (Stacy) Smith of New Castle, Indiana, Seth (Anna) Smith of Ingalls, Indiana, Courtney Smith (companion, Tawana Benson) of Anderson, Indiana, Isaac, Isaiah, Isakai & Gavin Gard, all of Mooreland, Indiana and Austin Walker (fiancé, Joey) of Greenfield, Indiana, Devin Crabtree of Louisville, Kentucky and Taylor Crabtree of Mooreland, Indiana; great-grandchildren, Bradon, Caleb, Emma, Josie, Evie, Jaxon, Sylas, Aubre, Owen & JoJo; a sister, Opal McQueen of New Castle; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Free; a step-son, Duffy Cook; two sisters, Mable Ladd and Betty O’Dear; three half-sisters, Irene Swim, Hazel Lockridge and Mary Mitchell; three half-brothers, Howard Free, Delbert Free and Lee Roy Ward.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, August 19, 2021 at Macer-Hall-Marcum & Moffitt Funeral Home, 2011 East Broad Street, New Castle with Brother Frank Wood, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Gravel Lawn Cemetery, 9088 West CR 1025 South in Fortville, Indiana. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m., until service time at the funeral home. Funeral directors and staff are honored to serve the Phillip Free family. Online condolences may be made at www.macerhall.com.