Freeport – Edward R. Hutmacher, 100, of Freeport passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2022 at Parkview Home.  He was born on December 24, 1921 in New Glarus, WI to the late John and Gladys (LaMore) Blank, but was adopted by his Aunt and Uncle George and Anna (Blank) Hutmacher.

He married Isabella Vaughan on May 26, 1962 in Freeport.  She died in 2002.  Ed farmed for several years in the area and then he became a meat cutter at Hansen's Meat Processing plant as well as the Lena Locker and Kayser's Lena Maid Meats.

He was a lifelong member of the Bethany United Church of Christ in Freeport.  He was also a volunteer fire fighter for the Freeport Rural District for 20 years, a member of the Stephenson County Farm Bureau and he served on the church council at Bethany UCC.  He raised and sold Christmas Trees on his farm for 3o years.  He loved taking care of the families that would come back year after year for their traditional Christmas Tree cutting.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, 2 sisters, Ruth Werkheiser and Bernice Schmidli, 3 brother-in-laws (Owen Werkheiser, Robert Schmidli and James Vaughan, and one sister-in-law Ruthie Vaughan.

There will be a visitation on Saturday, August 27 ^th at 10am at Walker Mortuary followed by a service at 11am also at Walker Mortuary.  His final resting place will be at Oakland Cemetery and Mausoleum.

Condolences can be left for the family at www.walkermortuary.com .  A memorial has been established in his name for the Freeport Rural Fire Department at 4500 W. Pearl City Road Freeport, Il 61032.