Donald E. Critz

Donald E. Critz, 87, of Little River, SC, formerly of Sterling, VA and Osceola, IA, passed away on January 7, 2022. Born in Osceola, Iowa on February 17, 1934, he was the son of the late Russell and Mable Brand Critz. He attended school in New Virginia, IA.

Donald joined the Army in 1955. He attended boot camp at Camp Chaffee, AK after which he took training with the 50th Ordnance Company serving at Kaisersslatern, Germany and Allied Supreme Headquarters in Paris, France. He was stationed Fort Ord, CA; Ft. Leonard Wood, MO; and Ft. Campbell, KY. Donald was discharged from the Army in 1964.

By 1968, he joined the Navy and joined the U.S. Navy Seabees, attending training at Gulfport, MS. From there, he went to Norfolk, VA for SEAR Training prior to reporting for duty in Vietnam with the Naval Support Activity Da Nang. Donald also served at Great Lakes, IL and Morocco. He went on to the Naval Security Station in Washington, DC and was Transportation Officer in the Public Works Department. Donald was selected Sailor of the Year and received many certificates and awards for his performance and leadership abilities.

In 1981, Donald married Phyllis Mikulich Holman, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Ash Mikulich in Sterling, VA.

Petty Officer Critz is survived by his wife of 40 years, Phyllis; sons David Critz (Alena); Joseph (Eddie) Holman (Mickey); daughter Lori Holman Poe; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and twin sister Doris West. His parents, his brothers Darrell and Bernard, and his sister Beulah (Max) Adair, predeceased him.

Funeral service is scheduled for 1:00pm on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at Lee Funeral Home Chapel. Burial immediately following at North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from noon until 1:00pm at the funeral home prior to the service.

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Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.