David Creamer

Dave, age 86, passed away in his home on January 23, 2019, after a valiant battle with cancer, surrounded by his faithful wife of sixty-four years and loving family. He was born on July 1,1932 in Columbus. Ohio, where he lived until joining the Air Force in 1950. Stationed in Belleville. IL. and serving with the 798th Aircraft Control and Warning Station, he met the love of his life, Shirley (Schaefer) Creamer, and were married in 1954. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Florida where Dave pitched a couple seasons for the St Louis Cardinals minor-league baseball affiliate, before moving back to Columbus to earn his accounting degree from The Ohio State University. The Upjohn Company brought them to the Kalamazoo area in 1960, where Dave worked for thirty years until he retired as the Director of the Corporate Tax Division, He was awarded the prestigious Upjohn Award for excellent service in 1974. He and Shirley eventually settled in Richland to raise their six children, where Dave would serve in many community organizations and was devoted to his role on the Gull Lake School Board for sixteen years. Dave led a rich life, and he loved spending time with friends and family at Arbutus Lake in Traverse City, where he and Shirley owned two cottages and summered for forty years. He had many hobbies including running, tennis, fishing, and writing. He loved to be active, and he was an avid golfer for decades--the family was all very proud when he shot a 79 on his eightieth birthday. Saturdays in the fall were for cheering on his much-loved Ohio State Buckeyes with (most of) his family in Richland, and he was thrilled to be at the game when his team won the 2018 Big Ten Championship. Dave consistently drew strength and encouragement from treasured friends in his AA group and the congregation of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, where he served faithfully for many years. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, provider, and a friend to many, Dave will be missed for his quick wit and his gift of finding humor in almost any situation--including his terminal cancer diagnosis. From the first appointment with the oncologists, Dave never wavered in his peace of mind, knowing exactly where he was going after he died because of his deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. The family finds peace in his security of salvation. He is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia Shirley (Schaefer) Creamer; children, Debbie Creamer, Carol (Terry) Amsbury, David Staley (Cindy) Creamer III, Bambi (Mark) Kolodzieczyk, Jimmy (Nan) Creamer, Julie (Fred) Crookston, and Michael (Cindy) Schwartz; grandchildren, Drue Crookston, Bailey (Tyler) Sutkowi, Carly (Jesse) Kellerman, David Staley (Ashley) Creamer IV, Shelby (Ryan) Warner, Dustin Kolodzieczyk, Colin Creamer, Taylor Crookston, Lance Creamer, Allie Creamer, Tyler Amsbury, Virginia Creamer, Paige Amsbury, and Gracie Schwartz; great-grandchildren. Noah and Samuel Warner; Ezekiel and Virginia Grace Sutkowi; and Aiden Walters and Fox Creamer; and several nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved coon dog, Bruce, his cherished sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Jim Burris, and precious grandson, Mark-David Kolodzieczyk. Dave's family will greet friends on Monday, January 28th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89), where the Parish Rosary will recited at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 29th at 10:30 a.m. in St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 1628 East G Avenue, Parchment, Mi 49004 with Father James S. O'Leary, Celebrant and Deacon Michael A. Carl, Assisting. The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard will bestow military honors after the Mass. Immediately following military honors, family and friends will continue Dave's life celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon in the Church Social Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation, Hospice Care of Southwestern Michigan or the Comstock Community Center. Personal messages and/or favorite memories of Dave may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com