Obituary

Kenneth J. Freiburger, Jr., 85, of Kendallville died Tuesday, June 26, 2018, in Lutheran Life Villages, Kendallville.

He was born July 15, 1932, in Kendallville to Kenneth Joseph Freiburger, Sr. and Ruth Harriet (Kraner) Freiburger.

On December 11, 1971, in Kendallville he married Jane C. McKean.

A lifetime area resident, he was a 1951 graduate of Kendallville High School where he received the nickname, "Gooch". He received a mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University.

He served in the National Guard from 1952 to 1955

Mr. Freiburger worked with his father at Acme Tool and Machine Co. and Engineering Research Tool Co. that his father started in Kendallville in 1946. He became a partner in 1954 and continued until his father's death in 1966. He then founded Noble Tool & Die, Inc. in Kendallville and built the first new building in the East Kendallville Industrial Park in 1967.

In April, 1971, he started Kevco Tool and Mfg., Inc. in Kendallville which was one of the first companies in northern Indiana to buy and use CNC machines. During the last few years of the business, he designed and built new tooling for an Indiana Japanese/American automotive supplier company. He traveled to Japan for the Nishikawa Rubber Company and learned basic Japanese language for this trip. He sold the businesses in 1996.

He was the owner of K & J Associates since 1982, as a contract engineer and computer instructor. He was also a website developer and did light computer repair work. He also worked for Nova Tool & Engineering, Inc. in Fort Wayne from 1995 to 1996, and Bosch Automotive Motor Systems Corporation in Albion from 1997 to 1999.

He was a member of Trinity Church United Methodist and American Legion Post 86, both in Kendallville. In 1947, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

Kenny was a colon cancer survivor. In 1993 to 1994 during his chemo treatments, he taught himself to paint and created several works of art. He also was a drummer in high school and college and had a small band.

Surviving are his wife, Jane Freiburger of Kendallville; two sons, Kenneth Bruce (Jackie) Freiburger of Kendallville and Kenneth Bradley (Teresa) Freiburger of Decatur; a daughter, Monique C. Zawadzke of Kendallville; four grandchildren, Nathen (Kristi) Freiburger, Matthew (Katie) Freiburger, Brett (Christine) Freiburger, and Nicole Freiburger; and two great-grandchildren, Memphis Freiburger and Emmett Freiburger.

He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin J. Freiburger; and a son-in-law, Steve Zawadzke.

There will be no visitation or services. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.

Preferred memorials are to Lutheran Life Villages of Kendallville.

Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville is assisting the family with arrangements.

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