Mr. Cruse died Thursday, April 3, 2008 at Bolivar General Hospital.
A life-long resident of the Pocahontas area, he was the son of Leon and Helen Wilbanks Cruse, who both survive. He was a self-employed carpenter, loved gardening, animals and woodcarving and served in the US Army in Germany.
Other survivors include three sisters, Sherry Bodiford of Pocahontas, Diann Bennett of North Port, Alabama and Kristi Baker of Pocahontas; one brother, Kem Cruse of Pocahontas, four special grandchildren, Juanita and Jacob Cleek, Allysen Walton and Mikayla Ervin; nieces and nephews, Shawn, Shannon, Rebecca, Rachael, Jeremiah, Sara, Brittany, Kyle and a special niece, Abby.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael Anthony Cruse, who died in 1971; maternal grandparents, Edmund and Norene Wilbanks; paternal grandparents, Woodrow and Carlie Cruse and uncles, Leslie Cruse and Tilmon Wilbanks.