Gary Dean McCreery

Gary Dean McCreery, 83, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at home surrounded by family. He was born July 4, 1941, the son of Benjamin Franklin McCreery and Mary Elizabeth (Haverstick) McCreery. He met the love of his life, Judith “Judy” Crownover, and they married on June 8, 1968, spending 57 beautiful years together.

A graduate of Muncie Central High School, Gary was a man who lived a life of service and was constantly pursuing the American Dream. He was a hard worker, dedicated to making a better life for his family, while proudly serving on the Muncie Police Force for 24 years and driving a mail truck for 20 years. He served in the National Guard for 6 years and was a member of the Delaware Masonic Lodge 46 for 50 years. Gary was a gifted dreamer with a creative mind and hands. He had a lifelong love of building and remodeling homes, and even built onto his own home which he took great pride in. He and Judy were longtime members of Harris Chapel, as Gary loved the Lord with all his heart, but he also had a great sense of humor. Everything made Gary laugh, sometimes at inappropriate times, but he could always take a bad or sad moment and turn it into a smile.

Gary was a very gifted athlete and lover of sports. He held swimming records at Muncie Central High School for over 20 years, he bowled in national tournaments, played softball for his church’s team that went undefeated for six years, and even tried out for the Chicago White Socks and made the team.

He was exceptional at many things and had many roles, but his best roles were “Dad”, “Grandpa”, and “Great-Grandpa”. Gary took pride in his children and grandchildren and had a special bond with each of them. He was especially proud when one of his grandchildren joined the police force.

He will be remembered for his fierce love for his family, home, church, the Lord and his confidence that everything would be okay, no matter the situation.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Judy McCreery; children, Derek (Sarah) McCreery and Holly (Greg) Terry; grandchildren, Grant Terry, Jacob (Shelby) Terry, Madison Terry, Mason McCreery and Gracie McCreery; great-grandchildren, Charlette Terry and Harper Terry; siblings Franklin (Melissa) McCreery, Glen (Deb) McCreery, Marcia (Dennis) Lindsay, Linda (Buster) Flannery, and Larry (Portia) Watterson, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in passing his parents, and a sister, Evelyn McCreery.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, IN, 47304. Burial will follow in Elm Ridge Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, on Tuesday, at the funeral home.