Charles Ray Cassidy

Charles "Ray" Cassidy of Cherryville, Missouri was born on February 18, 1935 to the union of Herman Roy Cassidy and Edith Mae Britton Cassidy. Wednesday evening when feeding his livestock on his farm he was tragically trampled by a bull. He passed away the morning of January 4th, 2008 at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis from his injuries at the age of 72 years, 10 months and 17 days.

Ray married Carolyn Annette Mortensen June 28, 1996 in Sedalia, Missouri.

In addition to his wife, he will be sadly missed by one daughter, Stephanie Cassidy and Steve Michalik of Ellisville, Missouri; two sons, Niels Mortensen II, and wife Dana of O'Fallon, Missouri and Paul Mortensen and wife Melissa of Steelville, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Ashley Baumann, Lance Corporal Curtis Wolverton and wife Meagan, Joshua Mortensen, Justin Mortensen, Niels Mortensen III, Nickolas Mortensen, Joshua Engstrom and Danielle Engstrom; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman Roy and Edith Mae Britton Cassidy and one son, John "Johnny" Charles Cassidy.


Ray's career started in 1952 in various fields of manufacturing, management consulting, and the aerospace industry until 1981. He then moved back to his hometown and opened a business to be closer to his family. After four years he decided to get back into what he loved, by serving as the Crawford County Representative for the Central Ozark Private Industry Council. After retirement from being a Representative he accepted a position to work directly for the company. In March of 1990 Ray became the Rapid Response Coordinator with the Central Ozark Private Industry Council, Inc. which today is known as Central Region Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (C-WIB). Ray was in his 18th year. He was well known in the nineteen central region counties not only to the businesses but to the dislocated workers he helped on a daily basis.

Ray represented the C-WIB in the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, Mid-Missouri Planning Commission and the Lake of the Ozark Council of Local Government meetings. He also served as a board member for Freeman Cemetery.

Ray's strong work ethic and loyalty to his employer and co-workers went above and beyond everyday. When people in the counties he serviced were laid off he was an outstanding champion to help them with care and concern. He impacted many lives in such a positive way.

However, above all else the most fulfilling end achievement in his earthly life was serving the Lord. In the early 90's he found his way back to the Church of Jesus Christ-Salem Restoration Branch and became actively involved in the priesthood. His calling and faith was strong and he became Elder Charles "Ray" Cassidy.

Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2007 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Elder Melvin Quick and Priest Lowell Quick officiating. The congregation sang "We Are One in Spirit" and "God Forgave My Sin in Jesus Name" "The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning" was sang by Rev. Jerry Beers and accompanied on piano by Sharon Hardecke.

Casket bearers were Niels Mortensen II, Paul Mortensen, Joshua Mortensen, Justin Mortensen, Steve Michalik, T. David Wise, Tom Wise and Kevin Stadler. Committal prayer and burial were in the Freeman Cemetery.

The Family were served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Trust Fund for continued work of the Lord, c/o of Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 457, Steelville, Missouri 65565.

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