Katherine Creasy, 92, of Greenville, died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville.
Services will be held at a future date.
Mrs. Creasy was born Oct. 30, 1931, in Little Mud, KY, the daughter of the late Preston and Laura (Kidd) Yates. She married Arlee ‘Red’ Creasy on Feb. 10, 1965, in St. Clair County, and they were married for over 39 years before he preceded her in death on Oct. 27, 2004.
In younger years, Mrs. Creasy moved from Kentucky to East St. Louis, MO and worked at Brown Shoe Factory in St. Louis. From East St. Louis, she moved to Granite City where she worked in a grocery store and bakery. She worked in several places doing private house cleaning and eventually, she settled in as a stay-at-home mom to care for the family. Later, she moved from Granite City to Livingston, then again in later years to Mulberry Grove, where she remained until her husband’s death, when she moved to Greenville. She also spent a brief time in Florida, with her eldest daughters, before deciding to return to Illinois.
Mrs. Creasy’s hobbies were painting, gardening and thrift shopping. She had a ‘green thumb’ and could make anything grow. She loved to can and pickle vegetables from the garden and made enough for anyone who needed it. She made her own salsa, spaghetti sauce, jelly, cream corn, pickled beets, relish, pickles, green beans and even her own applesauce. She was quite a gardener. She could paint an entire room with only a small brush, not a roller, in one day. Her favorite thrift shop item was small knick knacks. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Mulberry Grove, until her health declined and could no longer attend. She kept her faith and prayed to her dear Lord until the end of her life. She had an immense love for her family, especially her grandchildren.
Mrs. Creasy is survived by her children, Glenda Little, Patricia Castellani, Anthony Creasy, Ardale Creasy, Brenda (Kenny Smith) Knox, Deborah (John) Pithers and Theresa (Scott) Williams; 19 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Naomi Yates and Loretta (Edsel) Boyd.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three sons, Larry Koenig, Gary Little and Danny Creasy; grandchildren, Chelsea Raez Knox, Chad Michael Creasy and Caleb Mitchell Creasy; great granddaughter, Destinee Koenig; and siblings, Palmer Yates, Elmer Yates, Darrell Yates and Velma Lawson.
The family asks that donations be made, Mrs. Creasy’s memory, in lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts to the family.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Family of Katherine Creasy, c/o Brenda Knox, 807 Durley St., Greenville, IL 62246.
The family has entrusted Assalley-Young Funeral Home in Greenville with the ceremonies. Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.
