Submitted by: Dan Rich

George Francis Creighton

Aug. 25, 1912 - Feb. 11, 2002

South Bend Tribune 2/13/2002

George Francis Creighton, 89, residing on Emerson Avenue, South Bend, Ind., passed away at 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, in the Ironwood Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was born Aug. 25, 1912, in Chicago, Ill., as the son of John and Agnes (Collins) Creighton, and had lived in this community for 74 years, coming from Chicago. He retired May 1, 1972, from the Bendix Corporation where he was employed for more than 41 years. As a young man George was a professional wrestler, Golden Glove boxer, and founded the South Bend Athletic Club at Southmore Heights Community Building. He and his sister Mary played in vaudeville. He enlisted in the National Guard on May 2, 1933, at the age of 20. He was also a member of Ardmore Brethren Church, South Bend.

On Feb. 24, 1934, in South Bend, George married the love of his life, Virginia May Tuttle. Together they enjoyed 65 years of marriage until her passing on Sept. 8, 1999. He was also preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers. George is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Marlene and John Zdanys of Elkhart, Ind., and Virginia "Lee" and William Hewitt of South Bend; two sons and their wives, George DeWayne and Janice Creighton of Bremen, Ind., and Gary and Charlotte Creighton of Florence, Ala.; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Zakrowski, and a half sister, Shirley Zultanski, both of South Bend; a half brother, Jack Norris of South Bend; and by many nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, in the Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend. Rev Gene A. Eckerley, pastor of Community Brethren Church, Mishawaka, will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. today in the Palmer Funeral Home.