McCrea, John R. "Dick" 1927-2014

MCCREA, ISAACSON, KEYSER, BURTT, DAWSON, BIELEMA, SLOAN, BAKER, JENISON

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer
Date: 3/1/2014 at 08:29:20

John R. “Dick” McCrea age 86 of Fulton, IL, passed away peacefully on Sunday Feb. 16, 2014 at Mercy North Medical Center. Visitation will be Thursday, February 20th 2014, from 4 - 7 P.M. at the Pape Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Friday, February 21, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at the Pape Funeral Home. Interment will be at the Clinton Lawn Cemetery, Clinton, IA. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com. Memorial donations honoring Dick’s legacy can be made to the Clinton Humane Society, 1473 Main Ave, Clinton, IA 52732 or Albany Volunteer Fire Department, 409 South Church Street, Albany, Illinois, 61230.

Dick was born on March 3,1927, to John C. and Ethel L. (Isaacson)McCrea, along with his twin sister Betty Lou in Clinton, Iowa, each entering the world weighing nine and three quarters pounds. Throughout his life, Dick remained extremely proud of his upbringing in the town of Lyons. He often recalled and shared fond memories of growing up on Pershing Boulevard and attending Lyons’ schools. As a young adult, Dick’s hobbies included sports and music where he won many awards. Dick’s life-long enjoyments included living on his farm, raising a few head of cattle, owning many breeds of dogs, listening to various styles of music, especially The Gaither's Gospel, and taking leisurely car rides through Lyons and the countryside.

During World War II, Dick enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1945, and was stationed on the Eniwetok Atoll of the Marshall Islands aboard the U.S.S. New Jersey. Upon his return to civilian life in 1947, Dick was employed as a U.S.D.A. licensed grain inspector by his father at McCrea Inspections, a family business established in 1918 in Clinton, Iowa. Until his passing, his number one interest was working alongside his daughter Jill and his employees at the family business which he lovingly referred to as “The Shop.” Dick married Cornelia “Connie” Ann Keyser in Clinton, Iowa, on October 9, 1954. Connie passed away in 1967. In the early 1970s, Dick met the second love of his life Norma, and they married on August 28, 1974 in Albany, Illinois. Norma passed away in 2008.

Dick’s survivors include his children, Lynette (Richard) Burtt of Windsor, CA, William G. Dawson of Cedar Falls, IA, Jill (Alan) Bielema of Clinton, IA; his grandchildren, Zach (Christina) McCrea of Costa Mesa, CA; Matthew Sloan of Huntington Beach, CA; Benjamin and Brigham Bielema both of Clinton, IA; two great grandchildren, Vaughn and Katherine McCrea; his sister, Mary Jane Baker of Waukesha, WI; his brother-in-law, Dean Jenison, Sun City Center, FL; and several nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by Connie and their infant son John; his second wife Norma; daughter Debra Sloan; his twin sister Betty Lou Jenison; and his parents.

Dick will be incredibly missed by his family, friends, and all that had the privilege of knowing him. He will be especially remembered as a selfless, gentle individual that was always optimistic about life.