Richard Duane Creager, son of Harry and Nina Churchill Creager, was born February 11, 1918, in rural Sumner, Iowa. he was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Sumner. He received his education in the Sumner Schools, graduating from Sumner High School in 1936. From October of 1942 to April of 1946, he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps as a flight instructor.

            On October 26, 1947, he was united in marriage with Lorraine Norby at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage, Iowa.

            The couple made their home in the Sumner area where Richard farmed, worked in partnership with Maurice Treloar in a farming and farm equipment business, and was a Pioneer Seed Corn representative for many years. He and his wife moved into Sumner in 1983.

            A resident of the Hillcrest Home in Sumner for a brief time, Richard’s death occurred early Friday, March 26, 2010, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner from complications of age. He was 92 years old and a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church where he served on the church board. He was also a former member of the Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite. Richard loved gardening, both flowers and vegetables. He had served on the Hillcrest Home board where he was involved with the initial planning of the facility, and was a longtime member of Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion of Sumner.

            In addition to his wife, Lorraine of Sumner, he is survived by one son, Bryce (Jane) Creager of Mt. Pleasant; two daughters, Rebecca (Barry) Mantell of Clive; and Alicia Creager of Sumner; and four grandchildren, Jared (fiancé, Lindsay Geoffroy) Mantell, Grant Mantell, Adam (Mindy) Creager, and Nicholas Creager.

            He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Kyle Mantell; and one brother, Creighton.

            Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at the United Methodist Church in Sumner with Hugh Mackintosh L.C.M. officiating. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 29, 2010, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be at Wilson Grove Cemetery in Sumner. Memorials may be give to the United Methodist Church, the Hillcrest Home, or Community Memorial Hospital, all in Sumner.