
Mildred Mae (Freeman) Hendricks, 91, of Owen County passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at Garden Villa in Bloomington. She was born on July 9, 1929 in Owen County, the daughter of Estel and Pearl (Hendricks) Freeman. Mildred grew up on the family farm, where she worked side by side with her father and siblings. Her father taught her the value of hard work and determination. She left the farm in her late teens to work at RCA, marry, and start a family. Later in life, she was employed at the Eberle Hardware store and Indiana University. She retired from IU in the early 1990s, after working in the Audio-Visual Department for approximately 30 years. She was a member of Liberty Church of Christ in Hendricksville. Having grown up on a farm, Mildred loved animals and the outdoors. Her favorite pastimes were baking, gardening, and maintaining her home of 73 years. She grew beautiful vegetable and flower gardens, and kept her lawn perfectly groomed. While her three children were growing up, the family enjoyed dogs, cats, sheep, a horse, and acres of fields to play in. Her home was the source of her pride and her comfort. Mildred’s husband William passed away in 1982. In 1984 Mildred became the legal guardian of Mary (one of her older sisters) after both of their parents were deceased. Mary had lived on the farm with her parents for the first 58 years of her life, and she spent the next 29 years living with Mildred. Mildred was Mary’s closest friend and caregiver during their childhood, and that bond continued into their golden years. Mildred is survived by her daughters Joyce Hays (Bruce) of Owen County and Jeanna Hudson (Laurie Buckman) of Bloomington; three grandchildren, Paul Hudson (Tracy), Donna Hays (Rick Belcher), and Jody Hays; one great- grandson, Kent Hudson (Megan); and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Naomi Holtsclaw of Bloomington, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William R. Hendricks, her son Jimmy D. Hudson, and siblings Myrtle Gentry, Paul Freeman, Bernard Freeman, Clifford Freeman, and Mary Freeman. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at West and Parrish and Pedigo Funeral Home in Spencer with Dr. Diane Wells officiating. Interment will follow at Gross Cemetery in Whitehall. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gross Cemetery Fund. Online condolences may be shared with Mildred’s family at www.westparrishpedigo.com