BUSINESS PERSONNEL: PRESSMAN RETIRING

Frank Criddle is retiring from the Southeast Missourian Friday after 48 years, 45 of them in the press department.

Criddle started with the newspaper in the mail room in 1952; three years later, he moved to the press room, where he started work on a 24-page Goss Letter Press.

"We called it the old tube press," said Criddle.

"We later went to a 48-page Goss Press, with color capabilities," said Criddle. "The old press was located where the news room is today."

Criddle has evidenced a lot of changes in presses.

"We now use a Color Flex II offset press," he said. "I can remember when the old plates used on the Goss Press weighed 30 to 35 pounds. Today, our plates for the letter press weighs less than a pound."

One thing, however, has not changed, said Criddle. "We still have those giant rolls of paper."

Criddle said he enjoyed his work.

"In all the years here, I've never been late," he said. "In fact, I was usually a little early. I'd get to work in time to have an early cup of coffee with workers from other departments -- news, advertising, circulation. Almost everybody used to come in early."

Frank and his wife, Judy, were honored during a gathering held at the Southeast Missourian last week.

Criddle, a bowler, said he was looking forward to "a little gardening, a little woodwork, and visits to the coffee shops around town."