Adel Christine Freeman

Adel Christine Freeman (nee Seybold), 77, passed away on February 13, 2025 in Lincolnwood, Illinois, after a courageous and graceful battle with colon cancer. Adel was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She received her undergraduate degree from Lakeland College and her master’s degree at Northern Illinois University. 

Adel eventually settled in Rockford, Illinois, where she served as an educator for over 25 years. Her specialty was in teaching reading, and she passed along the gift of the written word to countless children. She loved teaching reading so much, she continued to tutor young children—as well as her young grandchildren—in reading well after retirement.

Her parents eventually joined her in Rockford and Adel was a devoted daughter to the two of them, caring for them in their later years and visiting them daily. She was also a loving and devoted mother and grandmother to her two sons and three grandchildren. 

Adel is survived by sons, Jeffrey Freeman (Kate O'Connor) and Brian Freeman (Jenny Schwab); grandchildren, Genevieve, Basil, and Eloise Freeman; brother Martin Seybold and his wife Catherine; sister Gail Bullington and her husband Neil; nephews John (Elizabeth) Bullington and Parker (Daphne) Seybold; and nieces Elizabeth (Paul) Bricknell and Chrislyn (Chris) Claremont. 

A celebration of Adel’s life will be held on May 18, 2025 at 11 AM at the Rockford Symbol. Attendees will be encouraged to share their fond memories of Adel, and we will lay her to rest in the waters of the Rock River. Well-wishers will be welcomed at Prairie Street Brewery after this gathering. 

 In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Adel’s favorite charity, Smile Train (https://www.smiletrain.org) or to colon cancer research and education (https://colorectalcancer.org/)

Aftercare entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options of Schiller Park, IL