Donald McCreary

Hiawatha- Donald “Don” McCreary, 61, of Hiawatha, passed away Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Hospice of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael McAndrew as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 4-7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama, with a Rosary Service at 7 PM.

Don was born July 11, 1964, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Norman and Marilyn (Anciaux) McCreary.

He graduated from South Tama County High School in 1982. He then attended the University of Iowa and graduated from the College of Engineering earning both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He was employed by Rockwell Collins/Collins Aerospace for over 33 years designing and testing various avionics products for both the Government and Commercial sectors. After his retirement from Collins in December of 2019, he worked part-time as a contractor supporting both Collins and The Boeing Company.

On September 6, 1986 he was united in marriage to Melissa Wesselmann at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama, Iowa. They raised two children, Michael and Tyler, in the Cedar Rapids area. Donald has three grandchildren, Isla, Willa, and Miles McCreary, who have been the center of his life during the past several years.

Don enjoyed his family, sports, concerts, traveling to Cancun and Florida, coin collecting, sports memorabilia collecting, and hanging out at the Riverside Resort and Pool.

Survivors include his wife, Melissa “Missy” McCreary of Hiawatha; his children, Michael (Brianne) McCreary of Hiawatha and Tyler (Grace) McCreary of Chicago, IL; three grandchildren, Isla McCreary, Willa McCreary and Miles McCreary. His brother, James (Catherine) McCreary of O’Fallon, IL and his sister, Karen (Edward) Pisney of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as the Wesselmann extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and niece, Elizabeth McCreary.

A memorial fund will be established.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.