Charles Cedric Quinley passed from his earthly life on September 26, 2016.  He was born on a small farm near Boonsboro, Mo, on April 28, 1921 to parents Charlie Samuel and Gladys Myrtie (Swearingen) Quinley.  Brother, John Walter (Corky - Oct 29, 1925 - Sept 1996) and sister Dorothy June (June 1931 -  )completed their family.  His family grew in this typical primitive, rural Missouri setting until May 25, 1932.  On this fateful day, his father suffered an accidental, fatal gunshot wound when he and young Cedric were squirrel hunting.  

Absent his father, the family remained at their farm home until 1936, when his mother left to find work in Boonville.  Cedric and his siblings lived with their maternal grandparents, John Walter and Mettie Maude (Duncan) Swearingen on their farm, also near Boonesboro.

Cedric attended elementary school in Boonesboro and high school at Farmers High, graduating with 3 others in May 1939.  

On graduation he left his rural home, going to Boonville to find work.  From May 1939 to June 1942 he worked in the Temple Stephens Grocery in Boonville.  That summer, he and Winfred Watts went to St Louis, MO to attend a sheet metal school.  Upon completion, he, Winfred and 3 brothers they met at school, traveled via the brothers auto to San Diego, CA to find work. They found jobs immediately in an airplane parts factory.  

The following summer (June 1943) Cedric was drafted into the US Navy.  He left San Diego and returned to Howard County.  He immediately was deployed for training in the US Navy Air Corps.  He trained for nearly 2 years in Oklahoma, Idaho, Washington and Hawaii before being deployed for active duty in the South Pacific in March 1945.  

While Cedric was training in Washington, like many young girls of that time, Helen Pagel, his Boonslick sweetheart, made the long train trip from Boonville to Seattle in December 1945.  She had specific instructions from her father Amiel, that upon her arrival, the couple should immediately find a minister or justice of the peace.  Cedric and a Navy buddy had therefore, arranged for a minister to perform the ceremony and, on December 24, 1945 they were married.

Cedric's first active duty deployment was to Hawaii.  Next to Guam, then to various small South Pacific islands, moving ever closer to the Philippines.  In all these assignments, his PV-1 Ventura aircraft team (his MOS - turret gunner) practiced rigorously for the invasion of Japan to be staged from the Philippines.  The allies plan was for the US forces to attack Japan from the South, with Russian forces attacking Japan from the North.  While allied forces were preparing for the invasion, US scientists were creating the ultimate war weapon of the time.  In August 1945 Harry Truman decided to use the atom bombs to defeat Japan thus saving thousands of allied service men’s lives.  For this decision by President Truman, Cedric and his fellow service men are eternally grateful.  

With WWII over, he returned home in January 1946 to his wife and their newborn son Charles Ronald (Marsha Snow).  He worked for Selwyn Shoe Company in Boonville from February 1946 to October 1953.  During those years, four baby girls came to the family - Marcia Dianne 1947 (John Phelps), Sherry Delaine 1950 (Ronnie Hackman), Brenda Jean 1952 (John Felts) and Sandra Dee 1953 (Mike Kroha).

From October 1953 to October 1963 he was the Manor Bread man for South Howard and North Cooper counties.  During this time, three more baby girls came to the family - Jennifer Gail 1955, Denise Dale 1958 (Dan Cotton) and Tami Sue 1963 (Kenny Hendrix).  Jennifer died tragically in August 1957.

In October 1963 he was appointed by President John F. Kennedy as Postmaster in New Franklin.  He served as Postmaster until October 1988 with 30 years of public service to his country.

In October 2008 Cedric received the Howard County Citizen of the Year Award for his decades of service to his community.  He served in numerous civic capacities - Lions Club, Volunteer Fire Department, School Board, City Council along with various First Christian (Disciples of Christ Church) responsibilities.  His recreational activities included gardening, bowling, sand court croquet, fishing, golf, the St Louis Cardinals and all New Franklin Bulldogs boys and girls sports activities.

But most of all he loved his family.  His seven children survive him and are all happily married to their one and only spouse.  These seven marriages produced 20 grandchildren, whose marriages have, thus far, produced 30 great grandchildren, with #31 due in November.

The life he made with the love of his life Helen Edith, was a stellar example for his family and his community.  He loved his church and his God all his life.  He served his country and his community with distinction and worked hard to provide for his family.  Cedric Quinley was a good man whose family and friends love him dearly.  He will be sorely missed, but remain in our hearts forever.

In closing, the Quinley family wants to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Hartmann Village for his care over the past 9 months, especially during his final days.  We are convinced that angels abide at Hartmann.

Cedric's visitation, 5 - 8pm Friday September 30 and funeral service, 10am Saturday, October 1 will both be held at Markland - Yager Funeral Home in New Franklin.  Burial, with military honors will immediately follow the funeral at Boonesboro cemetery.

Finally, those desiring to remember Cedric with a memorial gift should make their checks payable to   The New Franklin Lions Club or the Boonsboro Christian Church Cemetery Association.

Tributes and condolences may be shared at www.marklandyager.com.

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