Paul I Creager

Paul Creager, 90, of Columbus, passed away on August 7, 2026. He was born in Ashley, Delaware County, Ohio. He now joins Ingrid, the love of his life and wife of 59 years who passed away in 2016. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty (Don Barrett); and his sister-in-law, Rosemarie Gossing.

He is survived by sons Robert (Kathy) Creager, Michael (Becky) Creager; sisters Janis (Merrill) Hinshaw, Millie (James) Quinn; brother in law Peter (Pauline) Gossing Sr; daughter in law Michelle Creager; grandson Stefan Creager; granddaughters Valerie (Brian Kozicki) Creager, Amanda (Joe Brenner) Creager, Kristina, Samantha Creager, Melissa (Travis) Cook, Amanda (Michael) Wade; great grandsons Marcus, Huston, and Emmet Cook; great-granddaughter, Rey Creager; numerus nieces and nephews.

He attended grade and high school in Randolph County, IN. In 1953 he joined the Navy where he served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp, which operated in the Pacific. Discharged in 1957 as a Machinist's Mate 2nd Class, he joined the City of Columbus, Division of Water. He and Ingrid were married later that year and moved into their first tiny apartment on the West side.

In 1965 they bought their first house in Westerville. They would live there for 30 years.

Paul lived and breathed water treatment and would discuss it with anyone whether they were interested or not. In his later years, he switched to genealogy using the above format. He said he should have patented this ability to put people to sleep.

In his spare time, he remodeled the house, leaving Ingrid to do the fun stuff like raising a family, taking care of her invalid mother, paying the bills, housing relatives and visitors, and cleaning up the never ending remodeling dust.

Along the way, he graduated from OSU, joined the Ohio Air National Guard in 1976, and received the Ohio Operator Meritorious Service award from the American Water Works Association (AWWA) in 1985. He was a graduate of the US Air Force 1st Sergeant Academy, a Life member of the AWWA, a Charter Member of the City of Columbus, OH, Management Association and Chairman of the SE District of the Ohio Section AWWA. He retired as Water Plants Coordinator from the City of Columbus in 1987 and as a Senior Master Sergeant from the Air National Guard in 1993. He also was employed as Chief Operator at Newark Air Force Base and Water Superintendent at Rickenbacker ANGB.

Per his wishes there will be no services.