The Rev. John H. Creeks, 86, of Atlantic, Pa., made the transition to his heavenly home Wednesday after a period of declining health.

Born July 5, 1924, to Norman and Carrie Creeks in Bakerstown, he was a graduate of Zelienople High School and attended Grove City College. He later completed seminary training at the Western Maryland College and served until his retirement as a pastor in the United Methodist Church.

In addition to his wife, Sharon (Shields), he is survived by his six daughters, Jacqueline Tanaka (Larry Gladney) of Philadelphia, Autumn Perry (David) of Milledgeville, Ga., Leslie Auld (Dennis) of Zelienople, April Whitfield (Larry Preston) of Chicago, Ill., Holly Creeks of St. Albans, Vt., and March Creeks (Michael Razanauskas) of Zelienople; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his former wife, Carrl (Jones) of Zelienople.

Rev. Creeks lived in Zelienople from his high school days until 1968. He served as pastor of Unionville Methodist Church in Beaver County, starting as a choir director and becoming a full-time pastor in 1963.

Rev. Creeks was known for his wonderful singing voice, his infectious energy and his organizational vision. His inspiration in the lives of many to whom he ministered can be measured, in part, by the cadre of young people who chose to enter the ministry following his example.

In addition to his pastoral work, he was active in the Zelienople community serving on the school board, as chaplain of the Zelienople Volunteer Fire Department and as mayor.

In 1968, he was moved to Glassport, where he served as pastor of Glassport and West Side United Methodist churches. Rev. Creeks was moved in 1982 to Trinity United Methodist Church in Conneaut Lake.

While at Conneaut Lake, Rev. Creeks started the Living Christmas Tree, which has become an annual event. He was the creator of a boat ministry on Conneaut Lake and locals, as well as tourists, filled the boat during the summer months for a unique worship experience. After leaving Conneaut Lake, he served on the pastoral staff at Tower Hill Presbyterian Church in Red Bank, N.J., in its outreach and education ministry.

He returned to the Conneaut Lake area upon his retirement and married Sharon Shields.

While attending Fallowfield United Methodist Church, he occasionally substituted for pastors in the Saegertown, Greenville and Hermitage areas. In recent years, he volunteered in the surgical lounge of Greenville Regional Hospital and the Crawford County Humane Society.

He enjoyed gardening, traveling/camping and spending time with his golden retriever, Penny.

He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. In addition to his wife and daughters, he is survived by a brother, Norman Creeks and a sister, Hazel Boliver, both of the Gibsonia area.

<B>CREEKS </B>— Viewing for the Rev. John H. Creeks, who died Wednesday, May 11, 2011, will be held at the <B>Dickson Funeral Home</B>, 130 N. Second St., Conneaut Lake, Saturday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, Conneaut Lake, followed by burial at Rocky Glen Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607