David Freese, age 78 of Geneva, passed away Wednesday, July 6th, 2022, at his home. He was born October 10^th, 1943 in Bryan, OH, and was the son of Donald and Betty (Schlosser) Freese. He married Patricia Ann Zahniser on August 12, 1967, in Geneva.

He was employed by Geneva Area City Schools for his entire thirty-two-year career in education. He started as a teacher of history and later O.W.E. He then went on to become the Junior High principal and eventually Superintendent of Geneva Area City Schools.

He frequently reminisced about his years at Spencer High School, where he was a member of the last graduating class of the school. He always talked about his years at The Ohio State University and remained an avid Buckeye fan throughout his life.

David loved to travel with his family and friends and visited most of the fifty states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Along the way, he loved the adventures he encountered, from whitewater rafting in West Virginia, horseback riding in the Colorado mountains, scuba diving in the Bahamas, to taking a hydroplane flight over the glaciers of Alaska. However, most of all, he loved being at home with his family. Being visited by his kids and grandkids made his day. To gain the opinion of others, he delighted in being the devil’s advocate in conversations. Throughout his life, he valued a person for his contribution to the job rather than the person’s position.

David is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughters, Kim DeBacker, Bridget (Chris) Werling, and Kellie (Jeremiah) Emmett; grandchildren, Andrew, Michael (Megan), Sarah, Jacob, Isabelle, Kassie, Owen; and sister, Pam Yoblonsky. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Patricia Marie Freese.

Friends will be received from 4-7pm, Monday, July 11^th, 2022, at Behm Family Funeral Home, 175 South Broadway in Geneva. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10am, Tuesday, July 12^th, 2022, at Assumption Catholic Church in Geneva. Final resting place will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in his name to the Cleveland Foundation (put the “Spirit of Geneva Scholarship” in the memo line of check). Mail to: The Cleveland Foundation, 1422 Euclid Ave., Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH 44115. Donations can also be made online: https://www.iphiview.com/tcf/GiveNow/GiveOnline/tabid/838/dispatch/contribution_id$294792_hash$a5cb039b1cb7bc7c53272bbbbc74e176ba5fd885/Default.aspx

Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com.