LaVerne Crites

LaVerne L. ?Buzz? Crites 87, died at 5:50 p.m. May 18, 2009, at Lima Memorial Health System. He was born October 28, 1921, in Lima, Ohio to Zeldon and Lilly Mae Edgington Crites, who preceded him in death. He had been married to Ruth Elizabeth Beamand Crites-Schlinder, who survives. Mr. Crites had been a laborer for Tuttle Construction. He had been a professional boxer most of his life. He had once defeated the heavy weight champion of Nevada. He attended Voice of Victory Bible Methodist Church, Waynesfield. He was a member of the YMCA. During the Depression, he was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. He loved going to church and inviting people to come to church. He was known for his one-armed push-ups at the age of 86. He was a dog trainer who could train dogs to do things that other people could not get them to do. Survivors also include a son, Gerald ?Gerry? (Janice) Crites, of Marion, Iowa; two adopted daughters, Marilyn (Dellace) Crites-Holten, of Rockford, Illinois, and Sharon (James) Crites-Pinter, of Titusville, Florida; a brother, Urbanus Burdette Crites, of Lima, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Tonnetta (Craig) Rice, of Lima, Ohio, Rachel L. (James ?Andy?) Clayton and Randy Schindler, both of Marion, Iowa, Stephen (Marlinda) Holten, of Lima, Ohio, Dellace Holten and Keith Holten, both of Rockford, Illinois, and Robert Lawarre, Brad Lawarre and Michelle (Michael) Akers, all of Florida; 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild, Ayden Holten, of Lima, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Zeldon Crites, Paul Crites and Charles Crites; and a grandson, William Holten. Services will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The Rev. Ernest Plemmons will officiate. Burial will be in St. Matthew Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today and 12:30 p.m. until time of services Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Voice of Victory Bible Methodist Church. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamber lainhuckeriede.com.