BENNETT J. "BEN" CRITES

Bennett J. "Ben" Crites, 95, a resident of the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, died Thursday Feb. 10, 1994 at the Veterans Home.

Crites was among nine area World War I veterans honored at a special ceremony in October at the Cape Girardeau Veterans Home. Nationwide, World War I veterans received commemorative medals.

He was one of just five World War I veterans at the Veterans Home. Crites was a veteran of the Marine Corps.

Crites was born Nov. 1, 1898 in Hildebrand Mo. son of George F. and Barbara S. Hahs Crites.

He worked at Marquette Cement Company, was a charter member of both the VFW Post 3838 and the American Legion post in Cape Girardeau.

He also belonged to Missouri Highway Patrol Auxiliary and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Crites first married Mollie Seabaugh Mungle. She preceded him in death.

He then married Ruth Grebing Heise on Dec. 31, 1943 in Cape Girardeau. She survives.

He is also survived by one daughter, Phyllis Hansen, Billings, Mont.; one step-daughter, Geraldine Lorenz, Manchester, Mo.; one step-son, Lee Roy Heise, St. Louis; a sister, Mae Jaeger, Jackson; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Four brothers and one sister preceded him in death.

Funeral service will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. David V. Dissen officiating. Burial will follow at Hanover Lutheran Church Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by VFW Post 3838.

Friends may call today from 2-8 p.m. at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel.