Clarence D. “Shorty” Crist, Jr., 86 of Lewistown, MO died Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 6:40 AM at his home in Lewistown.

The son of Clarence D. and Bernice Pollock Crist, Sr. was born on August 21, 1925 at Ewing, Missouri.

He was united in marriage to Lena Maxine Green on May 20, 1944 at Canton, Missouri. She preceded him in death on February 21, 1995. He later married Leota M. Cleesen on January 1, 1996 at Quincy, Illinois.

Shorty was of the Baptist faith. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II as a radioman. He was a member of Lewis County Memorial Post # 578 of the American Legion and a Teamsters Local 41 Union Steward for many years. He drove for, and retired from Campbell’s 66 Trucking Express.

He is survived by his wife, Leota Crist of Lewistown, Mo.; children, Cheryl Robb of Gladstone, Mo., Charlotte Phillips & her husband DeWitt of Haysville, Kansas, Cathy Crist & Christopher Tabacchi of Kansas City, Mo., Cindy Adams & her husband Dale of Lewistown, Mo.; step-children, Robert Spillman & wife Melissa of St. Louis, Mo., Penny Johnson & Daniel Libby of Trinidad, Colorado, David Spillman & wife Becky of Quincy, Il., Peggy Chambers & her husband Terry of Wylie, Texas, Patty Parrick & her husband Mark of Quincy, Illiniois and Earl Spillman & his wife Michelle of Ewing, Mo.; eight grandchildren, thirteen step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren; brother, Oscar Crist of Canton, Mo. and several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, grandson, David Phillips, sister, Maxine Weaver and brother, Emery Crist.

Graveside funeral services will be held Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 1:00 PM at the Lewistown Cemetery with Rev. Chris Leppert officiating. Graveside military honors will be provided by Lewis County Memorial Post #578.

Visitation will be held Saturday from 11:00 AM until 12:30 PM at Arnold’s Funeral Home in Lewistown, Mo.

Pallbearers: Granddaughters, Danielle Adams, Kayla Adams, Keli Adams, Donna Keiser, Danna Hayter, Denise Grimes and step-daughter, Patty Parrick.

Honorary Pallbearers: Grandchildren, Melissa Miller and Jeffrey Phillips.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.