Roland Leigh McCreery

Roland Leigh McCreery

Ottumwa

Roland Leigh McCreery, 95, of Ottumwa, died at 9:25 a.m. August 10, 2025 at Vista Woods Care Center in Ottumwa.

Roland was born November 1, 1929 in Ollie to William Harold and Elizabeth Gillett Ridgway McCreery. He married Helen Arloine “Arlo” Fye November 15, 1947 in Unionville, MO. Arlo preceded him in death May 30, 2021.

A 1947 graduate of Ollie High School, Roland was a farmer throughout his life. In 1957 Roland and Arlo purchased and operated the Pekin Elevator. Besides farming in Iowa, they also managed a custom wheat harvest business from Texas to North Dakota for 50 years. After the harvest, Roland and Arlo spent many winters in Donna, Texas. They continued to farm together and harvest their own crops until 2020.

Roland was an over 50-year member and Past Master of the Justice Masonic Lodge #230 A.F. & A.M. in Ollie. He was a member of the Ollie Order of Eastern Star #549 where he was Past Worthy Patron several times and Past Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Iowa. He was also a member of Davenport Consistory, Ottumwa Shrine Club and KAABA Shrine of Davenport where he served as Potentate in 1975.

Roland and Arlo enjoyed hosting a costume Halloween party every year for their friends. Roland and Arlo enjoyed dancing to “big band music” of orchestras like Glen Miller and attended many events throughout the country. Roland was baptized and attended the Ollie Baptist Church. The McCreery Cancer Center at the Jefferson County Health Center, formerly at Ottumwa Regional Health Center, is named on behalf of Roland and Arlo McCreery. They saw a need and donated a very generous financial gift that would ensure that friends, neighbors and loved ones would be able to receive life sustaining cancer treatment locally.

Surviving are his sister, Eloise (Dr. Stan) Sloan of Lawrence, KS; a brother, Jackie (Chelsea) McCreery of Burlington, OK; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Delbert A. (Carolyn) Fye II of Ollie; special friend, Roberta Nimocks; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Francis and Ida Mae Fye.

The family would like to thank the staff at Vista Woods for his excellent care during his time there.

Visitation was held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 13 at Reece Funeral Home.

The family will be present to greet friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 14, prior to the service.

A Masonic service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 14, at Reece Funeral Home followed by funeral services with Pastor Gary Reeves officiating. Burial will be in Ollie Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Justice Masonic Lodge #230 A.F. & A.M. or Ollie Order of Eastern Star #549.