Murel M. McCreary, age 96, of Toledo, passed away Friday, November 25, 2016 at Premier Estates of Toledo. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Pastor Brian Oliver officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. Visitation will be held Monday, November 28, 2016 from 5 - 7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Murel was born on November 29, 1919 in Garwin, IA the son of John Wilson and Alice Neva (Miller) McCreary. He graduated from Garwin High School. On February 23, 1941, he was united in marriage to Ellen Mae Cooper at her parents' home in Crystal Township. Murel served his country in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a "Flying Tiger". He had worked at Martin Aviation in Omaha, NE, was in the tractor business with his brother, drove school bus, managed the bowling alley in Tama, and was a janitor at GTE in Toledo. Murel also began working for the City of Toledo in 1965 and remained working there until his retirement in 1983. He was an avid bowler. Murel also enjoyed playing horseshoes and cribbage. He was a talented woodworker and also liked painting wooden figures he had created. Murel also liked doing yard work and took great pride in appearance of his yard. He was a member of Living Faith United Methodist Church in Tama; Fraternal Order of Eagles, VFW, and was a seventy-year member of the Toledo American Legion.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and his wife Ellen on July 22, 2011.
Survivors include his children, Sandra Mullin of Toledo and Bruce McCreary of Lakewood, CO; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one brother, Earl (Evelyn) McCreary of Toledo; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a close family friend, Deb Tonche of Belle Plaine.
A memorial fund has been established.