Charles E. Crites, 86, went home to be with his loving wife and the Lord on January 23, 2023 after a period of declining health.
Charles was born December 17, 1936 in Sutton, West Virginia to the late Orval and Rushie (Jackson) Crites. Charlie was a coal miner when he met the love of his life and married Dorma F. Justice. She died on April 20, 2020. He was a retired employee of Quality Castings in Orrville. Charles was a Ford enthusiast and there wasn’t a vehicle he could not fix. He enjoyed hunting, texas horseshoes, checkers, Bluegrass music and spending time with close friends and family. He also enjoyed being home in West Virginia with his best friend Dick Jarvis.
He is survived by a brother, Odis Crites of Erbacon, WV; and children, Tamela Brown of Orrville, Kimberly Logan (Paul) of North Carolina, Charles R. Crites of Killbuck, and Christina (Dave Cogar) of Dalton. Also surviving are step-children Paula Dean (Frank) of Orrville, Georgette Greegor (Reid Woodruff) of Dalton, Rick Schumaker of Canal Fulton, 20 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews and other loved ones that he adopted as his own along the way.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Orval G. and Rushie B. (Jackson) Crites; wife Dorma Faye Crites; siblings Lena Jackson, Dencil Crites, Mildred Davis, Wilda Black, Dolly Crites, Leon Crites, Betty Plymale, and Thelma Wayne; sons, Mark Crites and Jeffrey Sears; and lifelong friend Don Messenger.
Graveside services were held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Wallback, West Virginia.
Calling hours were held at Gresser Funeral Home on Thursday, January 24, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Orrville, OH.
Online expressions and guest book registry are available at the funeral home web page, www.gresserfuneralhome.com.