Obituary of Arley David Cyrus

Arley David Cyrus, age 84, of Macks Creek died in Rolla, Missouri on June 4, 2008. Arley was born in Macks Creek, Missouri on September 15, 1923. He was the seventh child born to W.V. �Vollie� Cyrus and Bertha Lee (Eidson) Cyrus. Arley grew up in Macks Creek and graduated from Macks Creek High school in 1942. During his high school years he played on numerous sports teams. This love of sports continued throughout his lifetime. At age 19, Arley was inducted into the Army where he was a member of 149th Corp of Engineers,Co.B. He served in the European Theater and took part in Operation Overlord. His unit was among the 1st wave of D Day on June 6, 1944 at Omaha Beach. Subsequently he took part in the Liberation of Paris and the Battle of the Bulge. After he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945, he returned home to Macks Creek where he met and married Mary Rebecca Hartzell on May 15, 1948. After their marriage, the couple moved to Old Ocean, Texas. Arley worked at the Philips Oil Refinery for three years before returning to Missouri.Upon their return, they purchased the family farm where they lived for almost 20 years before moving into Macks Creek. During this time, they had two daughters, Beth and Mary Kay. Arley farmed and worked in construction as a partner in Cyrus and Eldred Contractors until his retirement. After he retired he enjoyed spending time with family especially his grandsons Christopher and Joshua. Arley was a charter member of the Macks Creek Lions Club and the Macks Creek Volunteer Fire Department. He was a long standing member of the Macks Creek First Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife Rebecca of the home, two daughters; Beth Malone and husband Michael of Rolla, Missouri and Mary Kay Brown and husband Craig of O�Fallon, Missouri; two grandchildren Christopher and Joshua Brown of O�Fallon, Missouri, two sisters Mary Wheeler of Marionville, Missouri and Betty McCall of Elkland, Missouri, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Floy,Buck,Wade and Leslie, sisters Flossie, Edythe and Eathel, nephew Junior Cyrus and niece Adra Webster