Charles H. "Bud" Creager

MATTOON, IL – Charles H. "Bud" Creager, age 94 of Mattoon and formerly of Charleston, left this life to be with the Lord, Wednesday evening, January 23, 2013 at his home and in the comforting presence of his daughter and her husband. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 28, 2013 at the funeral chapel with Pastor Walter Truex officiating and Pastor Jim Maroon assisting.  Interment, with Military Rites conducted by the Charleston VFW Honor Guard, will follow in Mound Cemetery, Charleston.   It is requested that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts in his honor be made to the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592, United Way of Coles County or to the Charleston Food Pantry.  Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. 

Charles was born on November 21, 1918 in Craik, Saskatchewan, Canada and was a son of the late John and Florence (Braden) Creager.  He married Eunice Swinford on January 5, 1946 and they celebrated fifty years of marriage prior to her death on October 30, 1996.  He is survived by his loving and devoted daughter, Sharon Curry and husband Dennis of Mattoon; a dear friend and special companion, Lucy Lewis of Charleston; two grandchildren, Lori Douglas and husband Bill of Ashmore, Illinois and Brian Huston and wife Amber of Charleston; three great-grandchildren, Shawn and Kennedy Douglas and Elijah Huston; a brother, Lloyd (Tony) Creager of Charleston; a sister, June Ferguson and husband Arlin of Charleston; and a niece and two nephews.  In addition to his parents and wife, Charles was preceded in death by three brothers, Jim, Jack and Don Creager. 

Charles, affectionately known as "Bud" to many, was a United States Army Veteran who honorably served his country during World War II.  He, along with his brothers (Jim, Lloyd "Tony", Jack and Don), opened their first grocery store (Creager Brothers) on Monroe Avenue in 1949.  In 1953 they expanded to a larger store located at Five Points.  From 1973 until his retirement in the late 1980's Bud was employed at Eastern Illinois University with Building Services.  He was a member of Central Christian Church in Charleston and a life member of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592. 

Bud never met anyone he couldn't hold a conversation with and he always wore a smile.  He enjoyed making life better for others through his sense of humor, his ability to recite children's poems, sing old songs or share a light-hearted story or joke.  He was gifted with an ability to create smiles on faces of others as well as generate laughter from their hearts.  Bud dearly loved his family and was blessed with an abiding and loving relationship with them.  When he was invited to live with Sharon and Dennis three years ago, it allowed him to enjoy a closer bond with them, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren; and afforded many opportunities to create a myriad of memories.   Bud loved the Lord and allowed his faith in God to be his guide in life.  His years here on earth were richly blessed with family and friends and Bud knew the blessing of the promise of eternal life in heaven through his faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.Click here to view Family Memorial Video.