John Crites

John C. Crites, 88, of Jackson passed away Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 1, 1926, in Jackson, to Dr. D.E. and Anna Wilhelm Crites.

He and June Unnerstall were married Aug. 27, 1950, in Cape Girardeau.

They had been married nearly 48 years when June passed away May 8, 1998.

John was a 1944 graduate of Jackson High School. He was an honorably discharged U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II, serving from June 23, 1944 to July 7, 1947.

He served on the USS Randall, and his combat service included the South Pacific, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

He was awarded the Pacific and Asiatic Theatre Ribbons.

Upon returning to Jackson, John attended Southeast Missouri College and the University of Missouri.

He farmed and owned the former Jackson Drive-In.

At the age of 30, he was elected sheriff of Cape Girardeau County, serving from 1957 to 1966.

He then served 23 years as postmaster at the U.S. Post Office in Jackson, retiring in 1989.

He was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church and Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158, both in Jackson; and was former president of the Missouri Sheriff Association.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Marci (Mike) McMahan of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Sally (Dan) Finch of Cape Girardeau; a grandson, John Michael McMahan of Boliski, Mississippi; a sister, Julia Statler of Kimberling City, Missouri; and a special friend, Lois Woodford of Cape Girardeau.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Maxine Eakins.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

An American Legion Honor Guard Service will be held at 1 p.m., immediately followed by the funeral, with the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating.

Entombment will follow at Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau, with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to New McKendree United Methodist Church, Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 or the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.