Rey Morford

St. Marys-Rey E. Morford, 91, passed away Sunday May 7, 2017 at his home in St. Marys. He was born May 5, 1926 at rural Delia, the son of Arthur and Josie Clouse Morford. Rey grew up on the family farm and graduated from Emmett High School in 1944. He served in the United States Army during WWII and received the Victory medal. Rey had lived on the farm many years and moved to St. Marys in 2007. When asked why he moved to town Rey said "seventy years of mud was enough". Rey had a variety of occupations including, working at Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Topeka, Firestone Tires in Topeka, the Rossville Dehydrator, Jeffrey Energy Center and he retired from Jackson County Road and Bridge Department. Rey was also a farmer and rancher. He was a member of Assumption Chapel in St. Marys. Rey had been a member of the American Legion in Holton, the Emmett Lions Club, had served on the Adrian Township Board and Cemetery Board along with being a member of the Delia School Board. He had served as a committeeman for the Jackson County Republican Party. On September 11, 1948 he was united in marriage to Patricia A. Cassity at Westmoreland. She preceded him in death on May 27, 2004; he was also preceded in death by a son, David Morford on August 29, 2005; a grand-daughter Kristin Morford, July 4, 2010; a step-grandson, Shawn Perry; his siblings, Lynn, Arthur and Larry Morford, Alice Pitney and Edith Davison. Survivors include two sons, Arthur Morford, Topeka, William "Bill" (Nancy) Morford, St. Marys; three daughters, Diana (Bob) Dolezilek, Holton, Deborah (Richard) Beasterfeld, Belvue and Jean Holt, Holton; a sister, Louise Sedlacek, Frankfort, 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Morford will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. A rosary will be recited at 10:00 A.M. Friday, May 12, 2017 at the funeral home. Interment with Military Honors will be at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Emmett. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, the Emmett Alumni Association or Great Lakes Hospice and sent in care of the funeral home.