William R. (Huck) Freimuth, 76, of Ontonagon, passed away at Marquette General Hospital on Saturday, April 21, 2007. He was born in Mellen, Wisconsin on January 31, 1931. He was the son of Genevieve and Joseph Freimuth. He moved to Ontonagon in 1935. In his childhood he acquired the nickname "Huck" because of the time he spent fishing on the Ontonagon River and working commercial fishing boats (helping rack nets, etc.), and this nickname continued throughout his lifetime.

Huck attended elementary and high school in Ontonagon, graduating in the Class of 1949. In high school, he participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track, traveling downstate in 1948 to compete for the basketball State Championship. After graduation, he served in the Marine Corps. Huck later worked in Detroit, Milwaukee, Ontonagon, and in California cities. He returned to the Ontonagon area in 1966 and worked various construction, plumbing, and bartending jobs.

Huck married Kay (Jamison) Cleary on January 27, 1967, and with this marriage he became step-father to three sons, Ronald, Richard, and Russell Cleary. He loved all his "sons" and grandchildren so much.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years Kay; two sisters, Carol Colgin of Ontonagon and Donna McDonald of Green Bay, WI; three sons, Ronald (Ann) Cleary of Ontonagon, Richard (Margaret) Cleary of Marquette, and Russell (Michelle) Cleary of Howell, MI; eleven grandchildren, Bob Cleary, Jeremy (Toni Lynn) Cleary, Joshua Cleary, Ryan Cleary, Brittany Carroll, Leigh Cleary, Katie (Ed) Miller, Kelly Cleary, Jennifer Cleary, Joseph Cleary, and Meredith Cleary; and three great grandchildren, Tyler, Isabelle, and Isaac Cleary. Preceding him in death were his parents, Genevieve and Joseph, and his brother Robert Freimuth.

Huck enjoyed many activities including golf, fishing, hunting, and playing cards. He was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Ontonagon Golf Club, and the FOE.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 25 from 5-8pm at the Cane Funeral Home. A rosary will be said at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, April 26 at 11am at the Holy Family Catholic Church with Fr. Antony Lukose officiating. Friends may also call at the church Thursday from 10am until the time of service. Burial will be in the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ontonagon County Cancer Association.