Charles Keith Clites, 85, Hastings
Charles Keith Clites, age 85, of Hastings, died at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital on March 7, 2009. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home in Malvern. Pastor Alan Moore of Hastings United Methodist Church, officiated. Military honors by Emerson American Legion Post 575, Carson American Legion Post 556, and “Taps” by James Kearney, Jr., bugler. Interment was in the Hastings Cemetery.
One of three children of Mabel (Purcell) and Alfred Vernon Clites, he was born on a farm west of Hastings, on March 4, 1924. He attended the Wearin School through the third grade and completed his education in Hastings, where he graduated from high school in 1942.
During World War II, Mr. Clites entered the U.S. Army on April 20, 1943, and received his basic training at North Camp Hood, Texas. He volunteered for the Parachute Infantry and received his training at Fort Benning, Ga. Following his jump training and a stop at Camp McCall in North Carolina, he was then sent to England and assigned as a rifleman in the Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division. His combat missions took him to Holland, Bastogne, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Normandy in central Europe. His commendations included receiving four Bronze Battle Stars, four Bronze Service Arrowheads, and two Overseas Bars.
After the war, Mr. Clites returned to Mills County and began his lifelong trucking career. After working with his father for a few years, he began his own trucking business known as Clites Trucking.
In 1949, he met his future wife, Lois Leona Boyd, who was a coach and teacher at Hastings. They were married in Red Oak, on May 21, 1949, and made their home in Hastings. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Steven Keith, Timothy Floyd, and Marla Sue.
From 1968 to 1988, Mr. and Mrs. Clites lived in Council Bluffs, where she was teaching. Mr. Clites continued trucking and in 1988, they returned to Hastings. He was a member of the Hastings United Methodist Church and the American Legion Post 575 at Emerson. He was proud to be an American and proud of his military service. They were able to travel to Holland in observance of the 50th anniversary of the 101st Airborne jump into Holland. They enjoyed their family and watching their grandchildren’s sporting events. With the help of his grandchildren, Mr. Clites planted and cared for trees at the Hastings Cemetery. Another of his enjoyments was playing cards.
Mr. and Mrs. Clites had been married 54 years when she died at their home near Hastings on Jan. 29, 2004. He continued to live in their home and operate his trucking business. In 2004, accompanied by his son Steve and grandson Todd, he again returned to Holland for the 60th anniversary of his parachute jump into Holland.
In 2005, he and Florene “Tina” (Harold) Rife were married. They enjoyed time spent together and participating in community events in the Hastings area.
Mr. Clites was preceded in death by his parents; son Tim; wife Lois; sister Peggy Haines; and brother Floyd Clites. He is survived by his son, Steve Clites and wife Sheryl of Sunrise Beach, Mo.; daughter, Marla Clites of Homeland, Calif.; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to Hastings United Methodist Church.