Ernest Crites

PUXICO, Mo. -- Ernest B. Crites, 91, of Puxico passed away Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Jan. 16, 1918, at Zalma, Mo., son of Horace and Dova Cato Crites. Ernest and Hazel Cooper were married Jan. 20, 1940, at Zalma. She preceded him in death Dec. 24, 1998.

Ernest was a retired logger and member of Kinder General Baptist Church.

Survivors include a son, Greg Crites of Jackson; a brother, Junior Crites of Edwardsville, Ill.; five sisters, Ilean Welch and Emma Price of Alton, Ill., Asliegh Lemons and Norma Issac of Puxico, Vivian Haskel of Florence, Mo.; four grandchildren, Michael Crites of Morley, Mo., John Crites of Oran, Mo., Jason Crites of Portageville, Mo., Leslie Juedemann of Boonsboro, Md.; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Crites, two brothers and a sister.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance, Mo.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dale Wiseman officiating. Burial will be in Rock Point Cemetery near Advance.