All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Russell Earl Crites

Obituary Russell Crites

Russell Earl Crites, 87, of Buckhannon, W.Va., died Saturday, February 6, 2021, at the Elkins Regional Convalescent Center in Elkins, W.Va.

He was born September 6, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio, a son of the late Herman Earl and Hilda Vera O’Dennis Crites.

He is survived by his wife, Wilhelma H. Krist Crites of Buckhannon; two sons, Raymond Gunter Crites and wife Vicki and Rusty Allen Crites and wife Anne all of Lorentz, W.Va.; two daughters, Christina Reger of Belington, W.Va. and Cindy Paugh and husband Rick of Buckhannon; one grandson, Derrick Paugh of Buckhannon; four granddaughters, Ashley Wilson and husband David of Rock Cave, W.Va., Tammy VanElhn and husband Eric of Goose Creek, S.C., Lisa Crites of Buckhannon and Jacki Crites of Charleston, S.C.; one great-granddaughter, Shelyn Wilson of Rock Cave; one great-grandson, Tykson Paugh  of Buckhannon and two step great granddaughters, Novah and Reagan Wilson both of Rock Cave.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Lindsey Rose.

Mr. Crites served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Upshur County Honor Guard. He was an avid outdoorsman that enjoyed camping and fishing. He was also a scout leader. Mr. Crites was an electrician and a member of the Lorentz United Methodist Church.

Friends will be received Tuesday, February 9, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with Pastor Ed Lowther officiating. Burial will follow in the Lorentz Cemetery in Lorentz, W.Va. The Upshur County Honor Guard will conduct Military Honors at the gravesite.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

My Buckhannon publishes obituaries free of charge as a courtesy to the family. Readers can support our publication by becoming a premium member.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Bonnie’s Bus to offer mammograms in Dawes, Rock Cave, Salem, Fairmont and Elkins

Bonnie’s Bus mobile mammography unit will visit five West Virginia locations in December, offering 3D digital screening mammograms to women. Appointments are required at each location.

‘It’s a part of who we are’: Community rallies in defense of Rock Cave Elementary as closure vote looms

One after another, dozens of speakers stepped to the podium for nearly four hours Thursday night with the same message for state officials: Don’t close our school. The community rallied, teachers pushed back, students showed what’s at stake. The vote comes November 20.

Buckhannon City Council Agenda: November 20, 2025

Buckhannon City Council will hold a meeting on November 20, 2025, with a posted agenda outlining items to be discussed and considered by the council.

Upshur County Board of Education Agenda: November 18, 2025

The Upshur County Board of Education will hold a meeting on November 18, 2025, and this article provides the agenda for that session.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar lists college and high school basketball, volleyball and swimming events—including West Virginia Wesleyan’s multiple games and meets, Buckhannon-Upshur middle and high school scrimmages, and invitational swims.

WVSSAC football quarterfinal pairings

The WVSSAC released football quarterfinal pairings for Nov. 21–22 across Classes A, AA, AAA and AAAA, detailing matchups, seeds and game times for the remaining teams.
WVWC Volleyball

Wesleyan to host MEC Volleyball Tournament as top seed; opens with GSU Thursday evening

West Virginia Wesleyan, the South Division champion and top overall seed, will host the eight-team 2025 Mountain East Conference Volleyball Championship Nov. 20–22 at the Rockefeller Center, opening Thursday vs. Glenville State.

Basketball ‘Cats go 0-2 at Atlantic Region Challenge

West Virginia Wesleyan opened the season 0-2 at the Atlantic Region Challenge, losing 114-76 to Slippery Rock and suffering a heartbreaking 68-67 loss to Lock Haven despite balanced scoring and strong bench contributions.

Wesleyan women break into win column with 79-72 victory over Pitt-Johnstown

West Virginia Wesleyan rallied with a 23-point fourth quarter and balanced scoring to defeat Pitt-Johnstown 79-72, earning their first win as Emma Witt led with 19 points and Allie Daniels posted a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double.
WVWC Football Feature Image

Football ‘Cats end year with 56-16 home loss to Glenville State

West Virginia Wesleyan closed an 0–11 season with a 56–16 home loss to Glenville State, which piled up 613 yards and scored in every quarter while the Bobcats showed flashes from Clarence Currin and Jordan Heyward.

On the City of Buckhannon: November 17-21, 2025

Buckhannon city announcements list public meetings, recycling and yard waste collection, a sanitary board and city council session, upcoming events and arts programs, resident reminders, and more.

Buckhannon Sanitary Board Agenda: November 20, 2025

The Buckhannon Sanitary Board will hold a meeting on November 20, 2025, and this notice publishes the agenda for that session.