March 29, 2024

C. Wayne Creagan

C. Wayne Creagan, 85, a 26-year resident of Cleveland, Tenn., and former resident of Newton, died Sunday, Sept. 7, at his home.

He was born on March 31, 1929, to the Late Lawrence R. Creagan and Bertha L. Warner in Centerville. He was a 43-year employee of the Maytag Company beginning his career in 1948, as senior factory clerk and held various positions in the industrial engineering department before being named labor relations associate in the industrial relations division and a member of the companies negotiating team in 1971. In 1972, Creagan was named director of labor relations, becoming vice president of labor relations in 1981. He was named to the corporate position of senior vice president of human resources in 1986, and senior vice president of the diversified products division in 1987. The following year, he was promoted to president of the division. In 1988, Creagan was named president of the Magic Chef Co. and elected to the Maytag Corporation’s Board of Directors.

He was active with and served as president of Progress Industries, The Maytag Management Club, Newton Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Development Club while in Newton. He loved golf, playing duplicate bridge and tennis. He loved thoroughbred horse racing and was part owner of one at one time. While raising his sons he was involved in coaching little league and Babe Ruth, and also served as a boy scout leader. He was a lifelong fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes. After moving to Cleveland he followed his grandchildren’s activities and was an avid fan of Bradley Wrestling.

In addition to his mother and father, Wayne was preceded in death by his brothers, Lawrence Creagan Jr., James Creagan, Patrick Creagan and his sister Marilyn (Sally) Coffin.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of nearly 67 years Barbara Ann Dhority Creagan; brother, Dan Creagan; sister-in-law, Donna Lakin; and three sons, Larry (Linda) Creagan, Mike (Denise) Creagan,and Bill (Laurrie) Creagan. He has nine grandchildren, Elizabeth Sanders, Jeffrey Creagan, Jennifer Hilliard, Jason Creagan, Thelma Hall, Michael Creagan, Brittney Creagan Viar, Travis Creagan and Evelin A. Creagan. He also had 10 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and other extended friends and family.

The Creagan family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to all of those in the medical field who attended to him in the last few months.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, followed by services at 7 p.m. at the Clingan Ridge Baptist Church, 2412 Georgetown Rd, Cleveland, Tenn., with Pastor Steve Morgan officiating. There will be a private family interment at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Cleveland with Travis Creagan, Michael Creagan, Jason Creagan, Josh Viar, Barney Bushore and Todd Brown serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Dave Sandeen, Tom Briatico, Mike Ruesswig, Greg Irwin, Jerry Ward, Charlie Stinchfield, Ralph DeCicco, Steve Claude, Larry Brand, Matt Seamon, Del Lins and Joanne Shearer.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent in memory of C. Wayne Creagan to one of these local Cleveland causes: the newly founded C. Wayne Creagan Bradley Wrestling Scholarship Fund, the local Cleveland United Way, Salvation Army, Cleveland BPOE Childrens annual shopping fund, Hospice of Chattanooga, the Cleveland State Scholarship Endowment Fund or the Cleveland Five Points Museum.

You are encouraged to share a memory of Wayne and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial web page and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home and the Cody family are honored to assist the Creagan family with his arrangements.