Caroline Freeman Platau

Caroline Freeman Platau, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at her home. She was born in Detroit, MI, March 23, 1926 to Benjamin Harrison (Harry) and Alta Baumgardner Freeman. She graduated in 1944 from North Lewisburg High School, excelling in academics and sports. Caroline was an accomplished pianist and lifelong member of the Methodist Church. She attended Bowling Green University, in Bowling Green, Ohio. Her early years were marred by the untimely death of her mother in 1932. Her father’s twin sister, Carrie (Cad) Freeman moved into the family home to help raise Caroline and two of her four siblings. The two youngest siblings were adopted by family members. She was especially close to her brother, Edwin, and grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Freeman. Caroline was employed by Motorist Mutual Insurance Company and rose to become the Director of Human Resources. On May 27, 1961, she married Gerard Oscar Platau. They were patrons of the Columbus, Ohio Symphony Orchestra, traveled extensively, loved going to museums, collected works of their favorite artists, rooted for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and summered in Ogunquit, Maine for over fifty years. After sixty seven years of marriage, Gerard passed away December 12, 2018. They had one son, Steven, who survives as well as grandson, Mark Platau, and granddaughter, Elizabeth Caroline (Libby) Platau. Other survivors include her brother-in-law, Thomas Delph, nephew, Drayton Freeman, nieces Debbi Cox, Kim Freeman, Stephanie Haroldwon, Dottie Harris, Beth Gifford, Angie Remaklus and Carol Williams, cousins Kay Allen, Cheryl Hollingsworth, Dwain Hollingsworth, Sandy Hooten, and Ann Sweda. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Alta Freeman, siblings Marylu Delph, Edwin, Harry and Wayne Freeman, aunts Mariah Hollingsworth, Carrie Freeman, Metta Morgan, Alice McGill, uncles Lee, Floyd, and Merrill Freeman, nephew William Delph. Funeral services have been entrusted to Deyo-Davis Funeral Home of Columbus, Ohio. A private graveside service will be held January 30, 2021 at Maple Grove Cemetery, North Lewisburg, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Suncoast Hospice, 2675 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34684 or the donor’s charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.deyodavis.com.

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