Reverend Donald R. Creech was born on August 22, 1963, to James Minniefield and Mazie Creech Williams and departed this life on September 18, 2022. He was educated in the Steubenville City School System and went on to further his education at Youngstown and Central State Universities.

Rev. Creech was called into the ministry in 2002 under the leadership of Rev. Calvin McLoyd. He graduated from the Ebeneezer Baptist Church College, was ordained, and called to the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Midland, Pa. where he Pastored for five years. He was united in holy matrimony to Shayla Poole in 2004. Pastor Creech retired after 31 years from Trinity Hospital where he worked as a Transporter. They called him "The Singing Transporter" because he always had a song in his heart that he loved sharing with others.

He was loved by his family and friends and was affectionately called "Duke." Everyone will miss his jovial personality and bright sense of humor. He was a real jokester and kept you laughing, which prompted his brothers to call him "Sticker." To this day close friends recall fond and precious memories of their years growing up when Duke took part in the "Chocolate City Fashion Shows" because he loved dressing and was very fashionable. He was also a good dancer back in the day and actively participated in a dance group called "The Combined Funk."

He was preceded in death by his Father; his brother Glen Moore; his Step Sister and Step Brother Tyra West and Mark Williams.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Shayla; five daughters Serenity, Jada, Hanna, Lydia, and Shatira Pierce; one grandchild Timi'ah Rias; his mother Mazie and Stepfather James Williams; five brothers Terrance, Andre, James, Romel, and Jeffrey; three sisters Fena, Desiree', and Michelle; one adopted daughter Trinity Allen; his special friends Gary Allen, Dawud and Horace Hampton, and Greg Carter, and a host of relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 23, 2022, from 11:00 am until the time of the funeral service, 12:00 pm at the GREGORY-MARTIN CHAPEL, 255 S. 7th Street in Steubenville, Ohio. The Reverend Rolland Owens will deliver words of comfort.

NO TEARS IN HEAVEN

There are no tears in Heaven nor grief of any kind, I leave this final teardrop to those I've left behind. Though absent from the body, I'm present with the Lord; the joy of my salvation is now my full reward. And just as God has promised, He's wiped my tears away, and nothing can compare to the wonder of that day. So keep me in your memory and know that up above there are no tears in Heaven, instead there's only love.