Joe K. Creek

Joe K. Creek, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Witham Hospital in Lebanon, Indiana. He was born on January 26, 1943, in Barren County, Kentucky, near Fountain Run, the son of the late Lela Mae Creek.

On May 17, 1997, Joe married Tamara Sue “Tammy” Creek (Johnson, formerly Ranney) in Zionsville, Indiana; she survives.

Raised in Kentucky, Joe was a 1961 graduate. He spent his working career as an over-the-road truck driver for various companies, including Lynde, Liquid Air Corporation, and Praxair, hauling compressed gases. He finished his trucking career with Prairie Group, Inc., hauling powder concrete before retiring in 2011. Joe worked long hours—often at odd hours—through most of his life. During his over-the-road travels, Joe was an avid country fan and regularly filled the miles with the songs he loved. His nephew, Shayne, admired him deeply and hoped to follow in his footsteps. Shayne’s first semi ride was with his Uncle Joe as a young child, and after Joe’s retirement, Shayne was able to return the honor by giving Joe his last ride in a semi – a fitting tribute to the bond they formed through a shared love of trucking.

In his free time, Joe enjoyed fishing, golfing, tending to his yard, spending time with family, traveling, watching his granddaughters’ sporting events—especially softball—and following college and professional sports, including basketball, football, women’s softball, and NASCAR.

Joe was a devoted husband, father, grandpa, and great grandpa. He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Tammy; and his son, John (Miranda) Johnson; daughters, Juli Atkinson (Antony Lipa) and Jodi (Jeff) Bennett; grandchildren, Adrienne Johnson, Abigail “Abby” Johnson, Olivia Eli, Harmony Joy Hanson, Joshua (Rachel) Bennett, Jonathan Bennett, and Evan (Mariko) Galloway; brothers-in-law, Harold Halliburton, Todd (Paola) Ranney, and Trent (Kim) Ranney; sister-in-law, Lynda Ranney; nieces and nephews, Shayne Halliburton, Wayne Halliburton, John (Stacey) Halliburton, James (Jane) Ranney, Robert (Alicia) Ranney, Austin Ranney, Samantha (Ryan) Foy, Joel (Jacelyn) Ranney, Jason Ranney, Julia (Jackson) Smith; and several great-grandchildren, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

In addition to his mother, Joe was preceded in death by daughters, Jini Galloway and Joelynna Eli; his twin sister, Lela Mae Halliburton; father- and mother-in-law, Charles and Marilyn Ranney; brother- and sister-in-law, Timothy and Elizabeth “Betsy” Ranney; sister-in-law, Linda Ranney; and great-niece, Dixi Ranney.

Funeral Services are planned for 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2025, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, Lebanon, Indiana, with Austin Ranney officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services. Cremation will follow, and Joe will be inurned at Oak Hill Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be directed in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023, or online at diabetes.org/donate, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.