Published: July 17, 2008 11:39 pm         

Donald R. Crites [Oldtown]

Donald R. Crites, 72, of Oldtown, passed away, Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at WHMS-Memorial Campus.

Born May 22, 1936 in Wiley Ford, W.Va., he was the son of the late Emma Catherine (Tipton) and Robert Udell Crites. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Helen Louise (Gable) Crites in 1994; one brother, John Crites; and two brothers-in-law, Dwaine Gable and Leroy Gable.

Mr. Crites was a retired truck driver for the local teamsters. He was in the Army and was a member of the Army Reserve. He was also a member of the Cumberland Outdoor Club and Cumberland Eagles 245. He enjoyed meeting at McDonald’s on Industrial Blvd. for the morning coffee group.

Surviving are three daughters, Donna Abe, Cumberland, Shelly Davis and special friend Tom House, Cumberland and Brenda Holler and husband Darrell, Ridgeley, W.Va.; four step-daughters, Debbie Twigg and husband Mark, Cumberland, Sandy Friend and husband Barry, Great Cacapon, W.Va., Kim Lehman and husband Ray, and Karen Blahut and husband David, Oldtown; a step-son, A.J. Bishop and special friend Marsha, Cumberland; his special companion, Shirley Sweitzer, Cumberland; two sisters, Sondra Wharton and husband Bill, LaVale and Dyane Stafford and husband Doug, Cumberland; three brothers-in-law, John Gable and wife Shelby, Cumberland, Larry Gable and wife Betty, Cresaptown and Ronnie Hamilton, Cumberland; three sisters-in-law, Carolyn Rice and husband Willis, Cumberland, Pat Burkett and husband Stanley, Imler, Pa. and Betty Gable, Frostburg; 20 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Ave., Cumberland (scarpellifh.com) on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home on Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Sherrill A. Dillon officiating.

Military honors will be accorded by the Post 13 Honor Guard.

Interment will be in Davis Memorial Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jason Porter, Andrew Carder, Corey Twigg, Matthew Davis, R.C. Lehman and Zachary Davis.