Crawford Rister, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the age of 80. He was born on May 11, 1945, in Quincy, Kentucky to the late George and Myrtle (Wilburn) Rister and spent much of his life in Crestline, Ohio.
Crawford was a man of simple pleasures. He was committed to his family and his community, with a strong love for his church family at Freewill Baptist Church in Bucyrus. Crawford cherished his relationships with his loved ones, always valuing time spent gardening, doing yard work, and tinkering around in his garage. He could often be found sitting for hours on his swing, watching the birds and the flowers, taking solace in conversations with his Lord and Savior.
He is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, Patty Rister; his children, Teresa Marchese, Randy (Kristy) Rister, Tina (Jon) Ditmars, and Jessica (Allen) Flannery; as well as many cherished grandchildren, including Joshua, Joey, David, Nicole, Thomas, Matt, Tommy, Brandon, Riley, Alex, Kristen, Gregg, Hanah, Shawn, Josalyn, Jude, Liam, and Julian, and fifteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear daughter-in-law, Jamie Rister, sister-in-law Phyllis Hefner, brother-in-law Jim Hefner, sister-in-law Mary Jane Conkel, brother-in-law Charlie Carpenter, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Crawford will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, Crawford was preceded in death by his son Thomas L. Rister, (two babies he never got to see or hold), son-in-law, Joseph “Joe” Marchese, brothers; Richard, Stanley, Paul, Elwood, Melvin, Sylvester and Buster, sisters; Audrey, Mable Hopkins, Betty, Beulah Ervin, Faithia Waddell, Flossie, and sister-in-law, Dolly Carpenter.
Friends may call on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Free Will Baptist Church, 1676 Hopley Ave., Bucyrus, OH 44820. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Free Will Baptist Church in Bucyrus with Pastor Lyle Arnett officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Crestline, Ohio.
Those wishing to share a memory of Crawford or send condolences to the Rister family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.
The Gompf Funeral Service – Crestline Chapel, 223 W. Main Street, Crestline is honored to serve the family of Crawford Rister.
Funeral Home: Gompf Funeral Service – Crestline Chapel
Website: masfh.com