James R. “Jim” McCreary
James R. “Jim” McCreary, 76, of Butler passed away Tuesday at the Good Samaritan Hospice at Concordia.
He was born Feb. 10, 1939, in Indiana, Pa., to the late James Ross (Pete) McCreary and Iva Jane (Dull) McCreary.
Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve.
He worked as a shop foreman and diesel mechanic for Harry Neal Trucking in Blairsville, Pa., and American Hardware Trucking Department in East Butler, and then he was self-employed.
Jim was an Eagle Scout and a Cub Scout leader of Pack 39 in Summit Township. He was a coach and manager for East Butler Baseball, and a transportation officer, driver and mechanic for the East Butler Sparks Marching Unit.
Jim enjoyed stock car racing and fishing. He was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates and any activities his grandchildren were participating in. Jim also enjoyed tinkering and putzing in his garage. He was a Protestant.
He is survived by his wife, Wynona Deane (Stiles) McCreary, who he married Aug. 27, 1960; two sons, James McCreary and his wife, Diane, of Fenelton and Thomas McCreary and his wife, Karen, of Butler; two daughters, Kimberly Armahizer and her husband, Robert, of Butler and Lee Anne Rodgers and her husband, Gregory, of Butler; 10 grandchildren, Michael Armahizer and his wife, Abby, Stephen Armahizer and his wife, Kristin, Ryan Armahizer, Jonathan and Haley McCreary, Megan and Luke McCreary and Jordan, Reghan and Austin Rodgers; two brothers, Ronald McCreary of Erie, Pa., and Randall McCreary and his wife, Karen, of Indiana, Pa.; two sisters, Judith Brickell and her husband, William, of Clymer, Pa., and Mildred McCreary of Woodbridge, Va.; one sister-in-law, Kimberly McCreary of Indiana, Pa.; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Herbert, Thomas and Vernon McCreary; and one sister-in-law, Susan McCreary.
MCCREARY — Friends of James R. “Jim” McCreary, who died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler.Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. John W. Lyons, Jim's cousin, a retired minister, with Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ), officiating.Private burial will take place at the Butler County Memorial Park.Officers and members of the American Legion Post 117 Butler, the American Legion Post 778 Lyndora and the VFW Post 249 of Butler will conduct military honors at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ACMH Foundation (memo line ArmsCare Appreciation), One Nolte Drive, Kittanning, PA 16201 (his oxygen supplier and friends) or to the Butler Rehabilitation Center, 1610 N. Main St. Ext., Suite 100, Butler, PA 16001 (his pulmonary rehab provider).Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.
