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Birthday

Clarence Freeman
Clarence Freeman, a former Vandalia resident now living in a rural suburb of San Diego, will be honored this Sunday as he observes his 105th birthday.
In 1910, when Freeman was 3 years old, his family moved to Vandalia. He worked for Vandalia Lumber Co. for more than 15 years, beginning in about 1930, rising to the position of assistant manager.
He also served four years as an alderman for the city of Vandalia.
Later, he relocated to Canton and Wenona, where he worked another 27 years in the lumber business. He retired in 1973 at age 67 and moved to California, where he worked for two years as a commercial fisherman. “The hardest job I ever had in my life,” he said.
Freeman still lives in his own home, alone, and requires only modest assistance with daily chores. He stands ramrod straight, and has only minor complaints about aches and pains.
He now serves as head usher at United Methodist Chapel of the Valley in El Cajon. The church will host his birthday party, beginning at noon on Sunday. The party will have a lumber business and construction work theme, recognizing his long employment at Vandalia Lumber Co.
Teddy Roosevelt was president when he was born, and he has seen 18 additional presidents since then. Although Freeman no longer drives, his driver’s license is valid until June 2014.
 

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