Clarence "Bud" A. Crowder, age 84 of Collinsville, IL, born April 6, 1940 in St. Louis, MO, passed away on Friday, July 12, 2024 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Marilyn (Fritschle) Crowder; and parents, Clarence John Crowder and Gertrude (Varwig) Crowder.

Surviving are his three children:  John (Renee) Crowder of Collinsville, IL, Diane Wicker of Belleville, IL, and Leigh (Eric) Miller of Glen Carbon, IL; six grandsons:  Zach Crowder, Zach Sloan, Joey Crowder, Jimmy Crowder, Jake Wicker, and Gavin Miller; one great-grandson, Arlo Sloan; and sister, Marilyn Crowder of Largo, FL.

Bud graduated from Poplar Bluff High School and graduated from Arkansas State University in 1962 with honors and a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance.  He worked at Ralston Purina Company in St. Louis, where he met and married his wife, Marilyn. Bud and Marilyn were married for 50 years when she passed away in 2015. After a successful 40-year career, Bud retired from Ralston Purina as Vice President of Finance Administration. Bud was an active-duty member of the Missouri Air National Guard.   He was an active parishioner for many years at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville, and more recently became a parishioner at Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Maryville.

Bud was an avid golfer, bowler, and ultimate sports fan.  He was a season ticketholder of the St. Louis Cardinals and Rams football teams and enjoyed college sports as well, but most of all he enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids in all their extracurricular activities.  He was fun loving, enjoyed many family vacations, especially to Las Vegas and Disney World, but most of all, he just loved spending time with his family. Bud actively supported numerous charitable organizations throughout his life.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville.

Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Maryville with Father Rob Johnson Celebrant.

Burial will be in St. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Collinsville.

Memorials are suggested to the Carmel of the Holy Family and St. Therese and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.

The family encourages everyone to share their favorite memory of Bud by signing the Guestbook for Bud at www.barrywilsonfuneralhome.com

In Loving Memory of Bud Crowder

The Discalced Carmelites are a sect of cloistered nuns, in Georgetown, CA, whose sole purpose is to serve God and to pray for all those in the world who may need them. Bud's cousin, Sister Mary Ann, was one of the first to serve as Reverend Mother of the sect. Throughout the years, Bud and family have traveled there to visit their beautiful abbey and church. Bud has kept in contact with the sect and spoke with them frequently. He had also made it a point to generously donate money to them, but also sent them gifts (mostly humorous) and candy on various holidays. Unfortunately, this particular sect can only take donations by check, which is why this method has been established. All monies donated online will be converted to checks and sent to the Carmelites by Bud's daughter, Diane Wicker. Mother Mary Bethany would be most grateful for any donations you may wish to make in Bud's memory.

If you prefer to send a check directly to the monastery, Mother Mary Bethany provided the correct name and non-profit tax ID:

Carmel of the Holy Family and St. Therese

non-profit tax ID number: 94-6093012

Address:

Carmel of the Holy Family and St. Thérèse
P.O. Box 4210
Georgetown, CA 95634

Memorial Donation to the Discalced Carmelite Monastery

On behalf of Bud and the Carmelites, thank you for your donation.