Richard Andrew Mital

Richard Andrew Mital, 87, of Cleveland, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 28, 2017. Richard is preceded in death by parents John and Mary Sabolik Mital, brothers Johnny and Eddie Mital, sisters Mary Drapp and Annie Koschok, son Gregory Mital, and grandson Scott Creekmore. Richard was born in Streator, Illinois on March 25, 1929. He graduated from Streator High School, then served from February 1951 through 1957 in the United States Army, and is a veteran of the Korean War. Richard began his training as a Journeyman Carpenter in Illinois, advancing to Master Carpenter. Richard’s long career included custom cabinetry work, furniture design and construction, and home building. Richard was a meticulous and skilled craftsman, and his woodworking skills are truly legendary. He was employed for a number of years at Bowater Incorporated/Resolute Forest Products, retiring in March 1994. Richard is survived by the love of his life, Ruth Wright Creekmore Mital, whom he married on September 4, 1970. Also surviving are six children and step-children who, together with Richard and Ruth, have built a strong blended family based on Christian values, of which Richard was so proud. The children include son Robert Creekmore and his wife Mary of Cleveland, son David Creekmore and wife Brenda of Dalton, Georgia, son George Dewain Creekmore and wife Bonnie of Charleston, daughter Andrea Mital Jones of Rome, Georgia, daughter Pam Creekmore Abney and husband Joey of Franklin, and son Jeff Mital and wife Crystal of Burlington, NC. Grandchildren include Bridgette Spivey of Dalton, Georgia, Ryan Cline and wife Leslie of Knoxville, Ben Briere and wife Claudia of Rockwall, Texas, Jamie Creekmore and wife Tiffany of Cleveland, Micah Creekmore and wife Shannon of Murfreesboro, Andrew Jones and fiancée Kathryn Tiller of Troy, New York, Cameron Jones of Rome, GA, Taylor Abney Ramsey and husband Sean of Franklin, and Tripp Abney of Franklin. Great-grandchildren include Logan and Hayden Floyd, Jonas Cline, David Briere, Sydney, Jackson, and Brooklyn Creekmore, Addison and Kinsley Creekmore, and Charlotte Ann Ramsey. Other surviving relatives include beloved sister Elsie Fredericksen of Arlington Heights, Illinois, great-niece Angie Roark of Cleveland, and numerous nieces and nephews. The visitation for Richard Andrew Mital will be held at First Lutheran Church, 195 McIntyre Avenue NE, Cleveland, Tennessee on Saturday, February 4, 2017, from 10:00am until noon. A memorial service at the church will follow at noon, with Rev. Robert Seaton officiating and Rev. Micah Creekmore assisting. A private columbarium service will follow the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund, 195 McIntyre Avenue NE, Cleveland, Tennessee 37312. The family of Richard Mital wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and technicians of Tennova Health Care, Cleveland, for the excellent care and compassion received during his illness. You are invited to share a personal memory of Richard or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral and Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Mital Family with these arrangements.