Russell "Russ" P. Freeman, 55, of Genoa died on November 15, 2023 at his home.

He was born on February 3, 1968 in Sycamore, IL. to Vernon and Theresa (Conro) Freeman.  He was their middle son with red hair, earning him the nickname "Rusty".  A lifelong Genoa resident, he was a Class of 1986 G-K graduate.  He attended Kishwaukee College and graduated in 1988 with a Manufacturing Tech Certificate.  For the next 35 years he worked as a skilled machine operator at Greenlee Tool in Genoa, Nissan Forklift in Marengo and most recently at M.B. Sturgis in South Elgin, until 4 weeks ago.

He married Iwona Benedyk in a backyard ceremony in Genoa on July 11, 2003.

Russ bravely battled many health issues of late, with Serenity Hospice helping him transition from this life in comfort.  He enjoyed tinkering in his garage with his "hit and miss" engines and caring for his many oscar fish.

Survivors include his wife Iwona; daughter Kelsi (Nick) Peterson of Genoa; grandsons Brian, Emmett and Austen Peterson; sister Jeanette (Ken) DeVogelaere of Woodstock; brothers Gary (Jeanette) Freeman of Sycamore and Robert Freeman of Surprise, AZ; nieces Amanda Bradbury of Sycamore and Kate (Ben) Keller of Mt. Prospect; and nephew Kris (Michelle) DeVogelaere of Taos, NM.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for the future.  Cremation care has been provided by the Slater-Butala Funeral Home of Genoa.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.butalafuneralhomes.com