Freda L. Crider-Broadway – Benton, IL

Freda L. Crider-Broadway, 80, of Benton, passed away at 11:44 a.m., on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on June 23, 1941, to Grover and Thelma (Smith) Fowler in Thompsonville, IL, and was a 1958 graduate of Thompsonville High School. On January 25, 1961, Freda married Buddy Ray Crider, and Bud passed away on May 11, 1977. She married James (Jim) Broadway on July 19, 1988, and he preceded her in death on December 14, 2016. In 1986, Freda was awarded custody of Chuck Garbo.

In 1988, Freda was elected Benton Working Woman of the Year. She retired from Western Auto, UFCW Local 881, after almost 30 years with the company and recently retired from O’Reilly Auto Parts of Benton. She was a Life Member of the VFW Auxiliary 2671 and Life Member of the American Legion Auxiliary 280. Freda was President of the American Legion Auxiliary from 2007 to 2021. She received recognition from the City of Benton Mayor Fred Kondritz, former Illinois State Senator Gary Forby, Congressman Mike Bost and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. Freda initiated the Veterans Flag Project in 2011 for the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery, which she was passionate about.

Freda is survived by her children, Bill Crider of Springfield, MO, Gary (Becky) Crider of Woodlawn, IL, Brad Reynolds of Springfield, MO and Linda Crider-Sanders of Benton, IL; three granddaughters, April (Bart) Echols, Elecia (Michael) Bodine and Kalyn Crider and her fiance, Lane Bond; five great-grandchildren; four brothers, Norman Fowler of Mt. Vernon, IL, Dennis (Donna) Fowler of Benton, IL, Jack (Nancy) Fowler of Benton, IL and Albert (Susan) Fowler of Benton, IL; three sisters, Virginia (Jim) Smith, Marilyn Planz of Benton, IL and Debra (Herb) Krumery of Buckner, IL; she had many other relatives and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by parents, Grover and Thelma Fowler, husband, Jim Broadway, first husband, Buddy Ray Crider, her son, Mike Crider, who passed on February 27, 2012, great-nephew, Chuck Garbo, who passed on November 18, 2002; two brothers, Robert Fowler and Jimmy Fowler, who died in the Orient 2 Mine Explosion in 1951 and one sister, Pauline Swensen.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 18, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 19, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., at the Pate Funeral Home with Pastor Howard Johnson, officiating.

Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 280 Flag Project and will be accepted at the Funeral Home.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.