Michael R. Creel

Mike Creel died Monday, January 7, 2019, at the age of 73. A private family burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery, Algona, Iowa, next to his beloved grandparents Dr. Loren and Lila Potter. In lieu of flowers, memorials are directed to a college fund established for Mike's grandson, Connor. They can be sent to Ron Creel, 436 Broad St. # 303, Rome, GA 30161. Michael Ray Creel was born September 4, 1945, in Boston, MA, son of U.S. Navy Captain Clarence "Al" Creel and Kathleen "Katie" (Potter) Creel. As a post-war "Navy brat" Mike and his family traveled and lived in much of the world, including the Philippine Islands and numerous locations at Naval installations stateside. Overjoyed to be closer to his grandparents in both Algona and Cherokee, he graduated after only 3 years in Pre-Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University and at the top of his class from Palmer College of Chiropractic Medicine in Davenport, IA. After college, Mike decided to pursue a different career path and worked for various insurance companies directing the Claims departments. He ultimately moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he retired in 2007 as the Director of Litigation at K&K Insuranc...[more]

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He met his wife Paula and they married on October 25, 2002 in Ft Wayne, IN. Mike loved to golf but had that cut short after slipping on the back deck, sustaining a fractured ankle that left him with the inability to play his favorite game. He spent hours in the yard tending to the landscape and the constant battle with weeds. Mike is survived by his wife Paula, sons Southwest Airlines Captain Ronald Creel (Nancy) of Rome, GA and Dr. Christopher Creel (Stephanie) of Los Alamos, NM, and his step-children Ryan Valentine of Ft Wayne, IN and Leah Valentine of Seattle, WA. Also surviving are his beloved grandchildren, Connor Loren Creel, Michael Creel, Luke Creel and John Creel, and his brother Tom Creel and sister Kathy Prosser. Mike was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, grandparents Dr. Loren and Lila Potter of Algona, IA and Rankin and Marion Creel of Cherokee, IA, and his beloved dogs Bear and Tazi.