Dr. Gene S. McCreery, 97, of Muncie, IN, died Monday, September 7, 2009, at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, after a sudden and severe illness. He was born May 14, 1912, the son of Harry D. and Hazel (Sharp) McCreery of Gaston, IN. He was preceded in death by both parents and his one brother, Robert McCreery, of Fishers, IN.
Gene is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Jane (Robbins) McCreery, of Bluffton IN; two sons; Dr. Richard A. McCreery (wife, Barbara L. (Hodgin) McCreery) and John T. McCreery AIA (friend, Darlene Duchene); four grandchildren: Scott, Shannon, Jennifer and Zachariah, and five great grandchildren.
Gene attended schools in Gaston and graduated from Harrison Township HS in 1930. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Ball State Teacher''s College in 1935, his Master of Arts in Education from Columbia University in NYC in 1940 and his Doctorate in Education from Indiana University in 1953. He was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps in 1943 and served as a pilot and flight instrument instructor until the end of WWII when he returned to civilian life.
Dr. McCreery was Principal at Harrison School and later taught at Burris Laboratory School. He was recognized as a leader in educational theory and practice. He served as an advisor to governments and universities as part of the United States Foreign Aid Programs in Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam, and Ethiopia. Over the course of his career he taught at Ball State University, the Illinois State College- Normal, Quincy College in Illinois and the Haile Selassie I University in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. He also served as Director of Student Teaching and Placement at Newark State Teacher''s College in New Jersey.
He was a life long member of the Gaston United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Muncie Club, Rotary International, State of Indiana Retired Teachers Association, the Indiana Republican Party, Phi Delta Kappa International, and a Trustee of People to People International. He travelled extensively to all continents promoting peace through understanding as part of his activities with People to People. In 1989 Ball State University Alumni Association bestowed on Dr. McCreery the Honor of Distinguished Alumni Award "in recognition of notable contribution to mankind and loyal service to Alma Mater". Visitation will be held Thursday, September 10, 2009, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 North State Road 3, Muncie, IN. Funeral services will be held at the Gaston United Methodist Church in Gaston, IN, at 10:00 AM, Friday, September 11, 2009. Pastor John Long will officiate. Burial will follow at Thompson Cemetery. The Delaware County Honor Guard will conduct military rites at the cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to People to People International, Ball State University or Gaston United Methodist Church in memory of Gene McCreery.
Friends and relations are invited to sign the on-line guest book and send the family condolences at; www.gardenviewandgardensofmemory.com.