RAY MADISON "BUDDY" CROSIER, age 74, a resident of Charleston died Friday, February 18, 2011, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born January 13, 1937 in Charleston to the late Ray Madison and Ruby Smith Crosier Sr. and had lived in Charleston his entire life. He was employed with the Brown Shoe company for several years before joining his parents in 1959 in the management of their family business, Crosier's Market for over 51 years. Following the death of his mother, he changed the name to "Buddy's Market" and while continuing to operate as a neighborhood provider for basic staple groceries, he and his sister, Ellen, collaborated their cooking skills and began offering a lunch menu. It wasn't long before most everyone in Charleston knew the menu by heart; BBQ sandwiches, BBQ bologna, hotdogs, polish sausage, white beans and cornbread, tuna fish salad and crackers, chili, hamburger stew and goulash. In addition to the offering of basic grocery items and lunch, Buddy's Market was frequented by many Charleston youngsters for the wide selection of penny candy. Buddy loved his hometown, and was a generous man who provided many meals for those less fortunate. He was of Baptist belief, and though work at the store kept him from regular church attendance, he lived a life that demonstrated a caring and kind heart.

On August 1, 1970 he married Jerris Ann Brumley who survives of the home.

Also surviving are two sons and daughters in law, David and Cheryl Crosier of Olmsted, IL and Robert and Lisa Crosier of Bertrand; two brothers and sisters in law, Larry and Kathy Crosier of Surprise, AZ and Bob and Betty Crosier of Sikeston; one sister, Ellen Crosier of Charleston; six grandchildren, Melissa Tehee, Robert Crosier, Rodney Crosier, Michelle Crosier, Lindsey Crosier, and David Allen Crosier; also eight great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston where funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 23, 2011, with Rev. Larry Kirby, pastor of the Abundant Grace Church in Bertrand, officiating.

Interment will follow in the IOOF under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Rodney Crosier, Little Robert Crosier, Bobby Crosier Jr., Brad Blackman, Mike Meeks, and Keith Tehee.

Memorial contributions may be given to the:

American Heart Association
Midwest Affiliate
208 S. LaSalle St. Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60604-1242