Alumni Obituaries – November 2014
Roger A. Crites, (MA in Religion, 1975), 64, after a courageous 13 year battle with cancer, Roger Allen Crites, 64, went home to be with his Lord Jesus on September 23, 2014. Roger was born on December 12, 1949, in Olney, Illinois; the son of Carl and Ethel (Smith) Crites. He graduated from Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. In his years of ministry, Roger had the opportunity and privilege of serving with wonderful people in several places. Roger served on staff with Tri-State Youth for Christ in Evansville, Indiana, where he met his wife, Jan (Blum) Crites. He also served as Youth Pastor at First United Methodist Church, Carrollton, Texas and was an Associate Pastor at World Gospel Church in Terre Haute, Indiana. For the past 19 years he has served as Pastor of Congregation Care at First Baptist Church, Geneva, Illinois. Roger’s love for his Lord, his family, and his passion for loving and serving others will leave a lasting legacy in the lives of all the people he touched. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Jan (Blum) Crites; his daughter, Amy Gregory (Jim) of Hiawatha, Iowa; his son Jonathan (Monica) of Euless, Texas; and his grandsons, Josiah and Matthias Gregory. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Crites, his mother, Ethel (Smith) Crites, and his brother, Ronald Crites.
Lillian Roe, 50, our friend and fellow pastor is now with the Lord. She went to be with the Lord on Wednesday afternoon, September 24. On September 22nd, she had surgery where they discovered that the cancer was throughout her body. Friends were present after the surgery and had a time of prayer for her – she was not conscious after the surgery and never woke up from the surgery. She fought the cancer with everything that she had. Lily served the Lord in our district, Pacific Southwest, as an assistant pastor in a number of churches including: La Puente – Sunset, Buena Park, Lawndale, and currently, Lake Forest – West Coast Wesleyan Church. She was faithful in working with our district Wesleyan Women and attending events of the district. We will all remember the vitality of her spirit and her deep faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Leon Willet, (MDiv, 1963), 76, a longtime resident of Mason County, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, at his home after several month’s illness. He was born Nov. 21, 1937, in Henry County, the son of the late Raymond and Elizabeth Casey Willett. Leon was a pastor and elder in the United Methodist church and a graduate of Asbury Seminary. He was also a teacher and coach in the Mason County School System for 31 years. He coached women’s basketball and men’s youth softball, winning multiple state and national titles. Leon was the recipient of the Outstanding Youth Education Award and was honored as a Kentucky Colonel. He was known best as a pastor, mentor, and friend to many. He is survived by his wife, Eunice Jones Willett of Columbia; and one son, Tim Willett of Columbia; two daughters, Patty McCann and husband, Bob of Columbia, and Libby Ogletree and husband, Charlie of Sausalito, Calif.; two sisters, Donna Johnson and Susie Hunter, both of Carrollton; and six grandchildren, Angie, Kristi, Bobby and John McCann, and Abigal and James Willett. He was preceded in death by one brother, Wayne Willett.