Michael R. Creutz

It is with great sadness that the family of Michael R. Creutz announces his passing on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the age of 64. Mike passed away in the comfort of his Toledo home with his family by his side after a brief battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
Mike was born on February 13, 1959 in Toledo, Ohio to Rosemary (Panuto) and the late Paul Creutz. When he was in 5th grade, his family moved to Walbridge, Ohio where he attended St. Jerome School. Mike later attended Cardinal Stritch High School where he was part of both the football and wrestling teams.
After graduating from high school in 1977, Mike worked at Mercy Hospital where he asked for an introduction to one of the nurses, Barbara Bonifas. The two fell in love, and they were later married in Barb's hometown of Delphos, Ohio in the fall of 1983.
Mike and Barb moved to West Toledo where they would raise their two sons, Ryan and Brett, born in 1988 and 1991, respectively. To support his growing family, in 1989, Mike co-founded a business, Elchert/Creutz & Sons, Inc., as a carpenter/contractor. This business would later become Creutz Construction, a company he would continue to own and operate for more than 30 years.
As a father, Mike was always present in his son's lives, and he especially loved coaching their sports teams. From kindergarten through 8th grade, he coached his sons' soccer, baseball and football teams at Christ the King. He was a coach at Christ the King for two CYO Toy Bowl championship teams in football, and was the head coach for the Christ the King 8th grade baseball team that had an undefeated regular season in the Lucas County Recreational League in 2002. He also built the trophy display case at Christ the King that still houses those teams' trophies.
Mike spent a significant amount of his time supporting local charitable organizations. He volunteered at countless local festivals, supported the YMCA alongside his father Paul, and helped to organize the annual golf outing (even winning it twice) for the Exchange Club of Greater Maumee Bay for over 20 years. He received the Club's Golden Deeds Award in 2021 for his contributions.
When Mike occasionally took time for himself, one of his favorite ways to spend it was fishing. He especially loved fishing on Lake Erie for walleye and perch, but also enjoyed fishing in northern Michigan, Alaska, and Manitoba, Canada, where he earned Master Angler awards for catching trophy fish.
Another place you could find Mike was in front of his grill, smoker, or in the kitchen frying up what he caught on Lake Erie. Mike knew his way around a kitchen, but was most famous for his smoked brisket and pulled pork that he would make from his backyard in his custom built smoker.
Mike was also an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching auto racing, golf, supporting the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Cleveland Browns, and The Ohio State University. He loved classic rock music—on his job sites, in his truck, in his backyard, or at a concert. Mike also loved dogs, never meeting one that did not instantly become his friend.
Although Mike was a successful business owner, coach, fisherman, and grill master, what Mike truly cared about and was most proud of were his family and his many friends. He put the needs of others ahead of himself, and was always available for anyone that was in need. He will be greatly missed by many.
Mike is survived by his wife Barb, sons Ryan (Charlotte) Creutz and Brett Creutz, mother Rosemary Creutz, sister Cathy Davis, brothers Kevin (Joy) Creutz and Bob Creutz, mother-in-law Helen Bonifas, sisters-in-law Marie (Tom) Wilson, Sharon (Gary) Schlereth, brothers-in-law Gary (Connie) Bonifas and Mike Bonifas, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his father Paul, father-in-law Rufus Bonifas, nephew Andy Smoot, and his yellow Labrador, Ozzie.
Mike's family would like to express our thanks to Hospice of Northwest Ohio and to the many friends and family members who have provided their support during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored by any donations made to the CJD Foundation in Mike's name through the family's fundraiser page: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/cjdfoundation/account/1417626/donate/
Funds will be used to establish a Memorial Research Grant in Mike's name to fund research into the causes and potential cures for CJD.
The family will receive guests on Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 1:00-7:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home-Northwest Chapel, 4150 W. Laskey Rd., Toledo (419-473-0300). The family will receive guests on Friday at Christ the King Catholic Church from 9:30-10:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m.
To share a memory of Mike or to leave a special message for his family, please click the "Share Memories" tab above.