Colleen Beth Stofer, daughter of Forrest N. “Spud” Freeman Sr. and Hazel A. Farson Freeman, was born Dec. 21, 1945 in Macomb and departed this life on July 21, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield at the age of 75 years and 7 months. On Nov. 9, 1963, she was united in marriage to Golden Stofer and to this union two children were born. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Colleen is survived by her husband of almost 58 years, Golden; son, Doug Stofer, of Mountain Grove; daughter, Becky Sowers and husband, Wally, of Mansfield; five grandchildren, Megan Davis and husband, Kyle; of El Reno, Okla.; Rachel Bailey and husband, Dakota, of Conway; Marcy Peak and husband, Ben, of Mansfield; Kim Corder and husband, Cody, of Mansfield; and Brett Stofer, of Springfield; nine great-grandchildren, Cooper and Lucy Davis, McCoy Bailey and baby Bailey on the way, Malachi and Arliss Peak, Kade, Charlie, Kinsley, and Mylah Corder; two brothers, Forrest N. “Butch” Freeman, Jr. and wife, Bobbie, of Choctaw, Okla., and Jack Freeman and wife, Brenda, of Marshfield; four nephews; one niece; and a very special friend that was like a sister, Betty Martin, of Mansfield. Colleen lived all her life in the Mansfield/Macomb area. She graduated from Mansfield High School in the Class of 1963. She began working in the office at Tobin-Hamilton Shoe Factory when she was in high school and worked there many years before going to work at H.D. Lee in Houston for four years. In 1984, she began a 23 year career at First Home Savings Bank retiring in 2007. In 2001, she and Golden purchased Mountain Grove Building Supply. Colleen made a profession of faith in Christ at a young age and was a longtime member of Corinth Baptist Church where she wore all the hats, including secretary, treasurer, Sunday School teacher, vacation Bible school teacher and anything else that needed to be done. She was always ready to and willing to serve. She was also a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a world traveler and an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Colleen never missed an opportunity to take a vacation or get lunch with friends. In her spare time, she was very competitive in softball, golf, bowling, and loved to water-ski. She and her dog Tater were inseparable, as they would spend their days keeping up with the house and taking care of the great-grandkids. There was never a dull moment in Colleen’s life, as she filled her days making lifelong memories with her family that she loved dearly. Colleen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and truly cared for other people. We celebrate her life and will always treasure our times together. Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Macomb Cemetery in Macomb with the Rev. Allen Pritchard. Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Mansfield was in charge of the arrangements.
