David Frederick Creeger

David Frederick Creeger, 78 of Port Clinton, formerly of Bascom, died Friday, April 16, 2021 at his home. The youngest child of Gilbert Hazen and Lucinda Theresa (Schalk) Creeger, he was born June 13, 1942, in Tiffin. He married Linda Ann Miller, of Findlay, on October 24, 1970 at St. Michael's Catholic Church Annex in Findlay. After living in Bascom 44 years, they retired to Catawba Island in 2014. He is survived by his wife of 50 years; his daughter, Kathryn Ann "Kathy" (Richard C. "Rick" Jr.) Dale; his son, Andrew David "Andy" Creeger; and two grandchildren, Logan Alexander and Lillian Kathryn "Lilly" Dale, all of Port Clinton. He is also survived by brothers-in-law, Edward Souder of Fostoria, and Alfred Herold of The Villages, Florida; and 12 nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents; infant siblings, Mary Agnes Creeger and John Gilbert Creeger; and older sisters, Mary Alice Souder and Dorothy Jane Herold. Starting as a child, he worked at Meadowbrook Park in Bascom until college. He graduated in 1960 from Hopewell-Loudon High School in Bascom. He attended The Ohio State University from 1960-1962 where he played his clarinet in the ROTC band. In 1962, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was in Base Supply for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) at Westover Air Force Base in Springfield, Massachusetts and for the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa for 18 months. Upon discharge from the Air Force in 1966, he started at the Ford Company — Autolite Sparkplug in Fostoria. He was a fabrication technician and a member of the fire brigade, and retired in 2004, after 38 years employment, from the Honeywell Corporation — Autolite Division. He was a lifelong member of the Bascom St. Patrick Catholic Church. Always active in his community, he was a member of the Bascom Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years, and as a coach for his children's teams of the Bascom Summer Baseball/Softball Association. Other affiliations included being a member of the New Riegel American Legion and a lifetime member of the Ohio State Alumni Association. Always a big sports fan, he followed the Hopewell-Loudon Chieftains, the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Browns and any team of his beloved Buckeyes of the Ohio State University. Rarely did he miss going to his children's school and athletic events and proudly watched them achieve in their educations, jobs and family. Since retiring, he liked working with his American Flyer model train layout, going to drum and bugle corps competitions, attending Ohio State University Marching Band events, fishing behind his house and attending his grandchildren's school and athletic events. Visitation will take place from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at the Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin. His Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at All Saints Parish, New Riegel, with Fr. Timothy Kummerer officiating and Rev. John Missler as con-celebrant. Burial will take place at Sand Ridge Cemetery, Bascom with military honors being rendered by the New Riegel American Legion. Memorials are suggested to Meadowbrook Park or the Bascom Fire Department, c/o Bascom Fire Foundation. Condolences may be sent and the guest book signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.