Winfield’s Gwyn McCreight reflects on 90 years

Meet Gwyn McCreight, a Winfield resident who has probably lived in Winfield longer than any other resident.

With the exception of one year at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois. Gwyn, who just celebrated her 90th birthday with an Open House, has called Winfield home since 1934.

“What if no one comes?” asked Gwyn, when the event was in the planning stage. Gwyn had no need to worry as the event was attended by friends and family from near and far making for a joyful celebration with people who had shared Gwyn’s life, past and present.

Memories, laughter and love filled the club house as people reminisced about times past and discussed current events. In addition to Iowa, people came from as far away as Des Moines, Davenport in Iowa and from out of state, Florida and Georgia to help Gwyn celebrate her 90th birthday.

Gwyn was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on Sept. 25, 1934. She was the first child of Lester and Opal Meeker’s three children. Her siblings were brother Eugene Meeker and sister Marilyn Owens, both deceased.

Gwyn attended Winfield schools from kindergarten through high school, graduating in 1952. Gwyn met her future husband Mark McCreight, in Kindergarten. I guess you could call them “grade school sweethearts” as they were friends, then boyfriend and girlfriend, then married Aug. 29, 1953 at the Winfield United Methodist Church. Mark passed away in 2021. They would have celebrated their 71st anniversary this year.

Their daughter, Leanne was the first girl born in the McCreight family for several generations. Next came Gary Dean, then Sherry Lynn and Steven Mark. Leanne (Shaw) lives in Chuluota, Florida, Gary lives in La Grange, Georgia, Sherry (Johnson) lives in Fairfield, and Steve (Melissa) and family live in Winfield. Gwyn’s extended family includes several grand and great-grandchildren.

Gwyn and Mark made many trips to Arizona to visit her parents who wintered there, but her trip to Alaska with friends from Winfield is her most memorable traveling experience. Gwyn said her health prevents her from traveling, but she is grateful she is able to remain in her home. She enjoys cooking, watching TV, especially the Hawkeyes, and doing word search books.

Gwyn has been a member of the Winfield United Church since 1946. She was also a faithful member of Chapter P TTT until it disbanded as well as a member of the Women’s Church Circle.

Gwyn has seen many businesses come and go during her years in Winfield and also many new things added to the town: Dollar General is the newest addition, and prior to that, Casey’s, the sports complex, the combining of Mt. Union and Wyman schools with Winfield with all grades in one building, a new pool, the combining of the banks and new families are some of the improvements Gwyn has witnessed.

On the world scene Gwyn said the advances in technology are some of the major changes she has witnessed. Never say you are too old to use a computer. At 90, Gwyn enjoys several of the resources available on her computer. When she “gets stuck” she has a grandson who will come and fix or explain the problem.

“Enjoy life when you are young,” is Gwyn’s advice to youth.

  Buy Photo