Charles Morse

Charles Wilbur Morse, 94, formerly of Kirksville died March 7, 2017 in Belton, Missouri.

The son of Frank and Ruby Morse, he was born January 5, 1923, on the family farm northwest of Macon.

He married Vernita Gerrish, September 30, 1951.  She preceded him in death, October 12, 2002.

Charles graduated from the Macon High School in 1941.  The years from 1941 through 1954 were spent farming in Macon County, with the exception of the years 1943 - 1945, when he served in the United States Merchant Marines.

While making a home on their farm, Charles was appointed as the first manager of the Macon County ASC office, with responsibility for managing farm programs. In 1957 he was employed by the Federal Land Bank of St. Louis as Chief Executive Officer of the Association at Kirksville. While serving the Farm Credit System, he served on many committees, establishing policies in the making of loans to farmers and ranchers. He retired in 1986 as President of the Federal Land Bank Association of North Central Missouri.

Charles was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kirksville and was a past board member and trustee. He was a member of the Kirksville Masonic Lodge No. 105 AF & AM, York Rite Bodies, Ely Commandry #22, Kirksville Council #44, and Caldwell Chapter #53. He was also member of the El Kadir Shrine Club of Kirksville and the Moila Temple of St. Joseph.

Charles was active in the community, serving on boards of the Chamber of Commerce, Credit Bureau, Missouri Institute of Cooperatives, charter board member of the Adair County Water District and he was also past president of the Adair-Schuyler Cattlemen’s Association. He was active in the Missouri Association of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He was proud of his time with the Kirksville Kiwanis Club where he served on the board and as President, was honored with the Outstanding Leadership Award in 1979 after his committee started the Kirksville Farmers Market.

Besides his parents and wife, Vernita; Charles was preceded in death by his son, Scott Morse and son-in-law, Kevin Ballard.

Charles is survived by daughters, Charlotte Ballard of St. Peters, MO, Janet Turnbough and husband Doug of Odessa, MO and sons, Greg Morse and wife Sherrill of Harrisonville, MO and George Morse and his wife Liz of Harrisonville, MO and daughter-in-law, Ann Morse of Harrisonville, MO. Charles was very proud of his 13 grandchildren, Stephanie Stewart, Stacey Hamm, Scott Stewart, Kristy Morse, Kathleen Morse, Justin Morse, Patrick Morse, Will Turnbough, Brian Turnbough Mitchell Morse, Nathan Morse, Spencer Morse and Taylor Morse; 3 great grandchildren, Austin Hamm, Tyler Hamm, Warner Morse  and one great, great grandchild, Brayden Hellman. Charles is also survived by his two brothers, George Morse and wife Pat of Leawood, KS, and Warren Morse of Olathe, KS.

Friends and family will remember Charles for his appreciation of mules, and harmonica. He will always be our 'Sunshine'.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday (March 11, 2017) at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Richard Northcutt officiating. Burial will be in Park View Memorial Gardens.

Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday with a Masonic Service held at 12:30 p.m. at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home

2100 E. Shepherd Ave.

Kirksville, MO 63501   660-665-2233

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church.