Arlo McCreery

ARLO MCCREERY

Ottumwa

Helen Arloine McCreery, 92, of Ottumwa, died at 5:35 a.m. May 30, 2021, at Good Samaritan Society, Ottumwa.

She was born Sept. 6, 1928, in New Sharon, Iowa, to Delbert and Mildred Weber Fye. She married Roland L. McCreery on Nov. 15, 1947, in Unionville, Mo.

A graduate of Ollie High School in 1946, she immediately started taking classes at Parsons College to earn her teaching certificate. Within a year, she was assigned her first country school. Country schools during that time started Sept. 1, but Arloine had to wait until Sept. 6, due to the age requirement of being 18. She taught in several country schools in the Ollie and Farson area then taught fifth grade in the Ollie Public Schools. In 1957, Roland bought the Pekin elevator but could not run it by himself. Giving notice to the board on March 1, 1957, she would leave her love for teaching to work alongside her husband, a career that was lifelong. They also managed a harvest operation business, harvesting wheat and other grains from Texas to North Dakota for 50 years. Arloine was cook for the crew, preparing three meals daily.

Dancing was Arloine and Roland's greatest pleasure, attending many Big Band music events in Texas and throughout the country. Arloine and Roland were major contributors to the McCreery Cancer Center in Ottumwa named in their honor.

Arloine was baptized and a long-time member of the Ollie Baptist Church. She was a member of Ollie Chapter #549 Order of Eastern Star and White Shrine.

Surviving is her husband, Roland; her brother, Delbert (Carolyn) Fye II of Ollie; a sister-in-law, Ida Mae Fye of Ottumwa; nieces, nephews and several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, twin siblings and her brother, Francis Fye.

Visitation will open after 11 a.m. Thursday, June 3, at Reece Funeral Home. Her family will be present to greet friends from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday with funeral services at 6 p.m. Thursday at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Reeves officiating. For those unable to attend the service, you may watch live on the Reece Funeral Home's Facebook page. Graveside services and burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 4, at Ollie Cemetery.

Memorials in honor of Arloine may be made to Alzheimer's Association.