Services for Donley Morris, 88, of Vandalia, will be held Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Vandalia First Baptist Church with Pastor Brian Lehenbauer and Pastor Ron Franklin officiating. Burial will follow at the Vandalia Cemetery.
Visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at the church.
Services are under the direction of Bienhoff Funeral Home.
Morris died at 2:52 a.m. Sunday, May 22, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born Feb. 16, 1934, in Perry, the son of John Woodfurd and Madge Marie Galloway Morris.
Donley married Shirley Ann Moore on Aug. 29, 1954, and she survives.
Other survivors include three daughters: Carla Shinn of Bronsan, Kan., Donna (Russell) Reading of Vandalia, and Lori (John) Robinson of Center, five grandchildren; Bryan (Lynn) Ballard of Lathrop, Mo., Sean (Jackie) Ballard of Kenilworth, Ill., Brett (Amanda) Reading of Vandalia, Chad (Mandy) Reading of Vandalia, and Clayton Robinson (Ali Chamberlin) of Maumae, Ohio, 10 great grandchildren; Kyle Ballard (Abigail Bilyeu), Matthew Ballard (Leslie Franks), Addie Matthews (Phillip Ruark), Blake Ballard, Evan Ballard, Pacey Reading, Bryce Reading, Ryder Reading, Aubrey Reading, and Dayton Reading, and two great-great grandchildren; Colt and Gunner.
His parents, one infant sister, one brother, Charles Morris, one sister-in-law, Virginia Morris, and one son in law, Orval “Dan” Shinn, all died earlier.
Morris was a lifetime area resident and farmer, receiving both the Master Farmer and Vandalia Area Heritage Farmer awards. Donley was very active in the Vandalia First Baptist Church, where he joined in 1946. He would serve as a Sunday School teacher and Deacon for over 50 years.
Donley was a member of the Round Grove Community Association, the Vandalia Business and Professional Men’s Club, and the Vandalia Flying Club. He enjoyed learning how to fly and becoming a pilot but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Pallbearers will be Bryan Ballard, Sean Ballard, Brett Reading, Chad Reading, Clayton Robinson, Kyle Ballard, and Matthew Ballard.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Dunn, Dickie Wasson, and L.E. Kohl.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Vandalia First Baptist Church or the Vandalia Historical Society, in care of Bienhoff Funeral Home, P.O. Box 54, Vandalia, MO 63382.