Jerry L. Criss, 79, of Lewis, died at noon June 30, 2009 at his residence following a lengthy battle with cancer.
He was born July 31, 1929 to Charles and Ruby (Bickel) Criss. Jerry graduated from Hymera High School in 1947 and later attended Purdue University. During school he was drafted into the United States Army and attended Leadership School and then was sent to Ft. Benning, Ga., Officer Candidate School where he graduated as second lieutenant on April 21, 1951 and served three years during the Korean War. Jerry married Arlene L. Tobias on Nov. 19, 1967. He retired from Glas-Col Apparatus Co. in 1994, after working for 30 years in the Traffic Department of several truck lines, the last being Lovelace Truck Service.
He was a 56-year member of Vigo Lodge No. 29 F&AM;, Lewis, Ind., where he was Past Master and served as secretary for 40 years. He was a Past Patron of the O.E.S in Lewis. He was also an Honorary Member of more than 12 local Masonic Lodges. He was proud to be a Mason and worked hard to help support and maintain Vigo Lodge No. 29. He attended the Lewis United Methodist Church. Jerry served as treasurer of the Wren House-Lewis Community Center, which he helped establish, for more than 20 years. He was also president of the Stephens Memorial Cemetery Association for many years.
He loved the outdoors and liked working around the house and gardening. He also dearly loved fishing and was rather well-known as a master crappie and bass fisherman in his younger years. He has several bass fishing trophies he earned while fishing in the old Fishathon Inc. in Terre Haute.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ruby Criss; and son, Mark Criss.
Survivors include his wife, Arlene; and two daughters, Kathy Criss, and Laura L. Anderson and husband Darren, all of Terre Haute.
Visitation will be at Schoppenhorst Funeral Home today from 4 to 8 p.m. with Masonic Funeral Rites at 7:30 p.m. Private graveside services will be at Stephens Cemetery in Lewis on Friday with Pastor Rick Swan officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. c/o Zorah Shrine 420 N. Seventh St., Terre Haute, IN 47807; or Hospice of the Wabash Valley. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
