Nancy L. Creger, 88, of Lena, Illinois went to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 10, 2022, surrounded by the love of her family. Nancy was born March 2, 1934, to Harry and Lillian (Yarnell) Staller in Pottsville, PA where she was named after the nurse who helped deliver her at the hospital. She married Garnett "Gary" Creger on October 13, 1954 when she left home for the first time to live in Baltimore, MD. Nancy loved being a Navy wife, and together they raised 6 children. Nancy stayed home with their children because she believed it was the most important job in the world. They moved to Chicago, IL and then McHenry, IL because of her husband's career in the city. One of her favorite jobs was working at Riverside Chocolate Factory. In 1991 they moved to Lena, Illinois where they owned and operated the local Malt Shoppe which she felt at heart was also her ministry.

Nancy was active and enjoyed a wide range of hobbies. She was a collector of antique dolls and spent time making her own porcelain dolls. Nancy would enjoy her cross words, board games, Yahtzee, dice games, bingo, bowling, mini golf, skee-ball, painting, and gardening. Every spring, she planted marigold and striped petunia flowers in memory of her mother. Nancy loved cooking for her family and was best known for her homemade mashed potatoes. Nancy always loved animals, claiming this trait came from her grandmother. They rescued stray cats, taking many in as pets, and caring for outside strays as well. Christmas was her and her father's favorite holiday and he gave her wonderful gifts, often early. However, her husband joked that her favorite day was always payday.  While dealing with some health issues she found her talent for writing poetry and she expressed, "I love to write poetry about Jesus." Nancy was an award-winning poet and she was published by Highland Community College, National Library of Poetry, Shoppers Guide, and Alliance Bible Church. Birth Right published a poem of hers that was distributed around the world.  She was a passionate right to life advocate and volunteer for Birthright/1 ^st Way Life Center.

As a youth she became active in the Salvation Army where her love for the Lord grew and she was proud of being asked to preach a sermon. Nancy was a longtime member of the Alliance Bible Church where she would spread the word of the Lord through her poetry. She taught Sunday school and loved helping with VBS where she was "Everyone's Grandma." In her bible studies with her children, she wrote the song "The Garmet" and her family performed it in church. Then she wrote the song "Radiant Children" for a youth group ministry. She was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Lena, Illinois.

Nancy is survived by her husband Garnett "Gary" of Lena, IL; 6 children- Bonnie Schipp, Douglas (Mary) Creger, Donna Mrowka, Rhonda (John) Evans, Karen Franklin, Christine (Kevin) MacDougall; grandchildren- Shawn (Lisa) Schipp, Rachel (Nate) Rusticus, Joshua (Meghan) Schipp, Sarah Schipp, Katie Creger, Renee (Rick) Strauss, Wesley (Teagan) Mrowka, Chantelle Mrowka, Charissa Mrowka, Jeremy Evans, Kenneth Franklin, Amber Franklin, Elijah (Olivia) MacDougall, Eiley MacDougall; great-grandchildren- Julia, Ella-Grace, Harper, Emma, Makennah, Cheyanne, Emmett, Owen, Khyden, Teyah, Tynsee, Kamron, Karina, Gavin, Juliette; sister- Judy (Jack) Lusk; sister-in-law- Shirley Knutson; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law- Paul Schipp, Frank Mrowka, Kenneth Franklin; grandchildren- Miranda and Lillian who died at birth, Justin Franklin; 1 sister- Joan Carl; 3 brothers- Kenneth, Harry "Red", Charles Staller.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL.

A visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until time of service.

Officiating will be Rev. Rick Bader

Cremation rites to be accorded

In lieu of flowers a fund to help Garnett has been set up.