CREIGHTON MEADER

HEMPHILL VASSALBORO – Creighton Meader Hemphill, 75, passed March 11, 2006, at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Born Sept. 12, 1930, in Arlington Heights, Mass. He graduated from Winslow High School in 1949. Creighton served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1954. In 1957, he married Margaret (Mickie) McBride. Over his lifetime Creighton worked with livestock and was a livestock dealer. He worked for the Ward family hauling cattle to the Boston Market, for Meader’s Saddlery and worked for Smiley’s Dairy. Then Creighton started on his own dealing in horses and cattle. In 1967, he partnered with his cousin, Dr. Charles P. Meader. In 1972, he became the sole owner of Meaders, which then became Hemphill’s Inc. He was a member of the Neguemkeag-Vassalboro Masonic Lodge No. 54, later becoming a member of the Anah Shrine Temple with particular interest in the Horse Patrol, North Vassalboro American Legion, Waterville Elks Lodge No. 905 and a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association, Appaloosa Horse Club and the American Paint Horse Association. Creighton enjoyed working, wheeling and dealing, horse racing, country fairs, “taking a ride in the country,” green pastures, casinos, quiet talks with his horse, Colty and most of all, providing for his family. Creighton is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margaret McBride Hemphill; mother, Pauline Meader Patterson; sister, Kay Hemphill Martin; his children and families, Greta H. Joseph with Gabe, Tory, Sadie and Lacey, Brenda H. and Scott Wright with Marissa, Heidi-Jo, Christopher, Nicole and Nathen, Paula H. and Gus Smiley with Craig-O and Nikki; and special son, Mike Vashon and wife, Sue; cousins, Nancy Meader Witkowski and Dr. Charles P. Meader; along with many other cherished friends and dedicated employees both past and present. We’d like to express our deepest thanks for the loving care and attention given by Dr. Ervin, Dr. Rivas and by the medical staff at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Waterville, Maine Medical Center, Portland and Inland Home Care. On Sunday, March 19, beginning with a Masonic Service 1 p.m., a gathering will be held at the China Lake Conference Center, China Neck Road, China. In lieu of flowers, an Equine Scholarship Fund will be set up in Creighton’s name. Please make checks payable to “Creighton’s Way,” care of Margaret Hemphill, 577 Oak Grove Rd., Vassalboro, ME 04989 or donations may be made to the China Lake Conference Center, P.O. Box 6149, China Village, ME 04926 in his name.