Avery Crites Jr.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Avery Rosewell Crites Jr., 93, of Marble Hill died Sunday, July 13, 2008, at Clearview Nursing Home in Sikeston, Mo.

He was born May 30, 1915, in Lutesville, Mo., son of Avery Rosewell and Sadie Ellen Hahn Crites. He and Freda Mae James were united in marriage June 1, 1935. She died June 26, 2007.

Mr. Crites was a retired oil distributor with Standard Oil, a former mayor of Lutesville, a Lutesville volunteer firefighter, a former member of Lutesville City Council and a member of Marble Hill First Baptist Church.

Survivors include a son Larry (Liz) Crites of Cortland, Ohio; two daughters, Joan (Chuck) Grant of Sikeston, Fay (Mike) Seabaugh of Mountain Home, Ark.; a brother, John E. Crites of Cape Girardeau; a sister; Viola Mayfield of Advance, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Cleo Long.

Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Fred Ritter, Todd and Brad Seabaugh, Chip and Bart Grant officiating. Entombment will follow in the Crites family mausoleum at Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery.