Drexel Hughes Crook

Drexel Hughes Crook, 86, of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007 at the Oakdale Care Center, in Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Crook was born July 29, 1921, in Ripley County. He was a member of the United Church of God, and had retired from the timber industry as well as the welding industry. Mr. Crook enjoyed spending time with his family, being outdoors, and hunting and fishing. As a welder he also enjoyed creating things.

On Sept. 26, 1939, he married Dellie Luann Elliott, in Butler County. She survives.

Other survivors include four sons, Charles Crook and wife Margaret, of High Ridge, Don Crook and wife Brenda, of Rolla and Fred Crook and wife Karen and Eddie Crook and wife Charlene, all of Poplar Bluff; daughter-in-law, Janice Crook, of Poplar Bluff; son-in-law, Jerry Hudson, of Holt, Mo.; 9 grandchildren, Donna LaJaret, Judith Randall, Karen Brownlee, Matthew Crook, Melissa Priest, Michelle Crook, Jennifer Williams, Lisa Rogers and Tammy Reid; 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Alma, of Ind., Norma, of Calif. and Ozella, of Ohio; and three brothers, Nelson Crook, of Tenn., Melvin Crook, of Tex. and Elvis Crook, of Ill.

His parents, Charlie and Ada (Mounts) Crook, a daughter, Marie Hudson and a son, Willard Harvey Crook preceded him in death.

Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. in the chapel, with Pastor Rick Beam officiating. Burial will be at the City Cemetery, in Poplar Bluff.