Harold James McCreary, formerly of Cassopolis

Published 9:02 am Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Harold James McCreary, 66, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo following a brief illness.

Born in South Bend and raised in Elkhart and Cassopolis. Harold graduated from Mendon High School in 1972.

He joined the U.S. Army in March 1974, graduated from boot camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky and was stationed at multiple places, most notably Seoul, Korea for 13 months, where he was a sharpshooter, driver and wireman until his Honorable Discharge.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Mr. McCreary attended Glen Oaks College in Centreville, Michigan, and Southwestern College in Kalamazoo.

He worked a variety of jobs: insulation specialist, mechanic, electrician, machinist. He enjoyed his work as an adhesives specialist at Alpha Systems, LLC in Elkhart for 13 years until his retirement in 2007.

Harold is survived by one brother, Bud (Teri) McCreary, of Edwardsburg; and three sisters, Lynda (Jim) Stevens, of Mendon, Michigan, Sharon (Kenny) Cothran, of St. John’s, Arizona, and Mary (Eric) Pringle, of Elkhart.

He is also survived by a plethora of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss his wry sense of humor and gentle smile.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd Jr. and Ruth (Anderson) McCreary, and siblings, Patricia Flicker, Everard Stemm, Kathryn Weirick, Samuel McCreary, Maria Sobieralski and Heidi Heckman; as well as various other family members.

Harold enjoyed spending time with his family and in nature. He adored the hummingbirds that were attracted to his feeders outside his window and was meticulous about keeping them full. He had a soft spot for all of God’s creatures, most especially his family. Because he grew up with so many sisters, he had the utmost respect for women. He was always willing to help someone but never expected anything in return.

A brief ceremony with full military honors will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, at Fort Custer National Cemetery, located at 15501 Dickman Road, Augusta, Michigan.