Harley McCrite

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Harley "Toad" McCrite, 87, of Olive Branch died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 4, 1923, in Diswood, Ill., to Harley and Pansy McKee McCrite. He and Ethel Bridges were married Feb. 8, 1947.

McCrite served his country honorably in the Navy during World War II and the Korean conflict. In World War II he served as a storekeeper in parts of occupation in Japan. In Korea he also served as a storekeeper.

He worked as a parts man at Warden's Ford in Cairo, Ill., later at Pete Thomas Ford in Cairo, and then at Ford Groves in Cape Girardeau. He then was employed by Foster Implements in Olive Branch, and for the last 14 years of his career he worked at Bunge, Ill., from where he retired.

He also served on the first Egyptian School Board. He loved his horses and for many years was a member of Olive Branch Saddle Club. Harley was a member of Sandy Creek Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Ethel; a son, Mike (Janelle) McCrite of Olive Branch; a grandson, Nicholas McCrite of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Jeanie Mae Zimmerman of Frankfort, Ill; three brothers, Raymond McCrite of Tamms, Ill., Earl and Paul McCrite of Florence, Ala.; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Georgia Malone and Ethel Honey; and two brothers, John and William McCrite.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today and 8 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Sandy Creek Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mark Kirk officiating. Interment will be in McCrite Cemetery, with military honors provided by area veterans.

Memorial contributions may be made to McCrite Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences visit www.crainsonline.com.