Merle E. Crites, 82, of Smithville died Saturday December 12, 2009 at Regency Hospital in Barberton. He was born on July 22, 1927 in Smithville to the late Merle and Irene (Bogle) Crites. Merle married Delores Rose in 1946. In 1952 they moved to California where he was the golf course superintendent at the El Hambro Golf Course. They moved back to Smithville in 1983. Merle attended St. Mary Catholic Church, was a member of the Superintendent’s club and volunteered at Smithville Western Care Center. Merle is survived by his wife Delores and nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Merle was also preceded in death by sisters Opal Mays and Helen Gibbs. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday December 15 at 10am at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Steve Moran officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Friends will be received on Monday from 6-8pm at McIntire, Davis and Greene Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill Street, Wooster. Contributions may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church, P.O. Box 109, Wooster, OH 44691 or American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad Street, Canfield, OH 44406 or the American Diabetes Association, 1815 W. Market St, Suite 108, Akron, OH 44313.

Memorial Contributions
St. Mary Catholic Church, P.O. Box 109, Wooster, OH 44691 or American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad Street, Canfield, OH 44406 or the American Diabetes Association, 1815 W. Market St, Suite 108, Akron, OH 44313.

Service
Tuesday December 15, 2009 at 10 am at St. Mary Catholic Church

Visitation
Monday December 14 from 6-8 pm at the funeral home