Sue Ann Stephens

Sue Ann Freetage- Stephens, age 65 of New Philadelphia, died Friday, March 28, 2014 in Schoenbrunn Health Care Center at New Philadelphia following a courageous battle with cancer.

A daughter of Helen E. (Bridges) Freetage-Morgan of Barnhill and the late Merle Francis Freetage, Sue was born at West Lafayette, Ohio on October 10, 1948.

She attended school at Midvale and devoted her life to lovingly care for her two sons and family.

She was a longtime member of the Goshen Community Church of the Nazarene. Sue loved gospel music, caring for her dogs, traveling, reading, spoiling her grandchildren and especially enjoyed dancing and fellowshipping at weddings and special gatherings.

An avid supporter of the Friends of the Homeless at New Philadelphia and the Tuscarawas County Dog Pound, Sue made it her life’s mission to improve the lives of all around her. Not only did she provide support to the dog pound in various ways, but through the years, obtained many of her faithful four legged companions from the facility.

In addition to her mother, Sue is survived by her step-father, Clarence “Bacon” Morgan; two sons, Christopher Freetage and Michael Freetage; her husband, John Kenneth Stephens all of New Philadelphia; three sisters, E. Diane (John) Meese of Dover, Linda (Abe) Marner of Sugarcreek and Beverly Conley of New Philadelphia; a step-brother, Clarence “Bakie” Morgan of Barnhill; a step-sister, Jonna (Dave) Harper of Sherrodsville; longtime devoted friends, Mark and Joyce Renicker of Dover; five grandchildren, Cheyenne, Charity, Bella, Skylar, and Jackson; a special niece, Becky Elliott of Uhrichsville and numerous other nieces and nephews.

In addition to her father, Sue was preceded in death by a grandson, Mason.

The family will greet guests one hour prior to services on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, from 9:30 – 10:30 AM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Pastor Lee Randolf, Jr. will lead a celebration of Sue’s life at 10:30 AM on Tuesday. Burial will follow in the Ridgecrest Memory Gardens at Dover. Following services, all are invited to join the family for a time of food and fellowship in the Goshen Community Church of the Nazarene.

The family requests memorial contributions in Sue’s name be directed to Goshen Community Church of the Nazarene 2501 Davis Road SE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.