Wayne F. Studley (Veteran)

Wayne F. Studley, 81, of Jefferson City, passed away Monday, August 22, 2011, at University Hospital-Columbia. He was born November 7, 1929, in Kewanee, Ill., to the late Christopher Edwin and Edna Comp Studley. He graduated from Mineral High School. He was married in Jefferson City to Eva Lee Steen Trabue on November 25, 1989. Wayne served in the U.S. Air Force from 1947-1951, teaching helicopter and airplane maintenance. He served as Flight Chief for a fleet of P-51 Mustangs during the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Wayne was a master craftsman and inventor. Because of his grain dryer invention, he was featured on the cover of The Missouri Ruralist magazine. After farming for 25 years, he became a rural mail carrier in the New Franklin area, and the great floods of '93 and '95 were challenges. He was generous with his time and talents, having volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Wesley United Methodist Church. He was a member of Fayette-Howard #4 AF & AM Lodge of the Freemasons. All respected and loved Wayne for being the kind, gentle man that he was. Wayne loved animals. His kitties, Ozzie and Opie, loved sitting on his lap and nipping his fingers. He loved gardening. He worked in the yard every day, weather permitting. His gardens were featured in Birds & Blooms magazine. He is survived by his wife, Eva Lee; three children, Bruce Studley (Peggy) of New Franklin, Chris Studley (Theresa) of Boonville, and Laurie Daniels (Doug) of Fayette; stepchildren, Tom Trabue (Kim) of Columbia, Tim Trabue (Eva) of Columbia, and Tammy Bosley (Bob) of Raymore; numerous grandchildren and great- grandchildren; brothers, Dean Studley (Shirley), and Robert Studley (Donna). Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 26, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Jefferson City.