Colonel Silas Monroe Crase, Ret.

Columbus, GA - Silas Monroe "Si" Crase of Columbus, GA died Thursday, January 23, 2014 at Columbus Hospice House.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, January 26, 2014 at Columbus Hospice House, Room, 7020 Moon Rd, Columbus, Ga.

Mr. Crase was born January 30, 1925 in Whitesburg, KY to Herman and Viola Crase. He enlisted in the Army during World ...War II at nineteen, and served as a ball turret gunner on a B17 bomber. His plane was shot down over Czechoslovakia, and he parachuted to safety and managed to evade capture. He was taken in by a local family who provided him with shelter for nine months, until they were able to get him back to Allied Forces safely. After returning home, he attended dental school and earned his DDS, and re-enlisted in the Army, where he served until his retirement at the rank of Colonel. He lived in Ft. Pierce, FL for a number of years after retiring, moving to Columbus, GA in 2002.

Other than his parents, Mr. Crase was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Auton Crase, and his daughter, Deborah Crase Anderson.

Survivors include his son, Michael Crase (Carolyn Baldwin) of Columbus; two brothers, Paul Crase and Hoover Crase; grandchildren Sean Broaddus, Aaron Broaddus, Russell Crase, Nathan Crase (Kathryn), and Andrea Daughtry (Jarrod); and five great-grandchilden.

The family expresses sincere thanks to Columbus Hospice for their kind and faithful care over the last two years. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909.

Baldwin Funeral Home, 50 Charles Overby Dr., Richland, GA, 31825, will be in charge of the arrangements.