Lewis Richard Freitag II

Lewis Freitag ObituaryPublished by Legacy on Mar. 17, 2026.Lewis Richard Freitag II, known by friends and family as Lew, was a beacon of strength and bravery. Born on September 14, 1952, in Cleveland, Ohio, Lew's journey through life was marked by service, discipline, and an unyielding spirit of courage. On March 6, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, Lew passed away peacefully in Warren, Ohio, leaving behind a legacy of honor, resilience, and integrity.Lew's early years were spent in the halls of Collinwood High School, where he was known for his quick wit and brilliant mind. His commitment to service was evident early on when he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1969, training with the 3rd Recruit Battalion, platoon 152. It was there that Lew learned what it meant to stand accountable-not only for himself, but for the Marines to his left and right.He excelled in General and Specialized Aviation Schools and rose to the rank of Sergeant, serving with the 1st Marine Air Wing. Lew's dedication to his country did not stop there; he continued his service in the United States Army and National Guard, where he honed his skills as a Machinist and Tool & Die Precision Machinist.Lew's military career was distinguished by numerous commendations, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation-each representing commitment under pressure and duty without hesitation. His skill, discipline, and insistence on excellence earned deep respect from those he trained beside and mentored. Many veterans later sought him out simply to say, "Thank you-for the skills you taught me. They helped me survive."Lew's interests and hobbies mirrored his character-adventurous, precise, and always striving for excellence. He enjoyed long-range rifle shooting, tactical shooting, and finding peace in the outdoors. Camping trips and gunsmithing were not simply pastimes, but passions that allowed Lew to connect with nature and share his knowledge with friends and family.Those who knew Lew described him as a man whose humor and bravery inspired others to face their challenges head-on. He is survived by his former spouse, Bonnie Freitag, and her siblings; his brother and sister-in-law Sam and Sherri Freitag and their children; his brother Matt Martin; his children Lewis and Elizabeth Freitag III, Bobby and Anna Root, Linda Freitag, Bobbie Freitag, Patty Freitag, Tom and Kathy Smith; and his cherished grandchildren Audrey, Alyssa, Zander, Victoria, Jordan, Olivia, Jasmine, Gabriella, and Raymond, each of whom carries forward a part of his strength.To have known Lew was to have known a man of true honor-a man whose life stood as a testament to service, who held the line when it mattered, who faced fear head-on, and who carried the weight of those who never made it home. His sacrifice, and the sacrifice of his generation, remains etched into history and into the hardened ground of Nam Phong.As we bid farewell to Lewis Richard Freitag II, let us remember the light he was-"the few, the proud…"In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Lew's lionhearted spirit will live on within each of us, encouraging us to aim higher, live fuller, and love deeper.May his soul rest in eternal peace, as he takes his place of honor in the Lord's embrace.To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lewis Richard Freitag, II, please visit our floral store.Place the Full Obituary in Any NewspaperThis is just an online death notice. You can publish a complete obituary in over 2,700 newspapers.Online memorialInform your communityReceive memories and condolencesGet StartedLegacy.com reports daily on death announcements in local communities nationwide. Visit our funeral home directory for more local information, or see our FAQ page for help with finding obituaries and sending sympathy.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.